Microplastics, why are they a concern?

Microplastics have been found in a huge number of species among all groups of wildlife and in several types of food. The consumption of these foods can transfer microplastics and their additives into the          human body.  

Exposure to microplastics in laboratory environment has demonstrated their potential toxicity, causing serious effects to marine animals such as mortality, reduced feeding rate, body mass, and metabolic rate, decreased fertilization and larval abnormalities, neurotoxicity and others.

Considering this, it is crucial to focus on the analytical techniques which allow the identification and characterization of the smallest particles. These include Raman Microscopy, SEM, AFM etc.

Want to learn more about sample preparation and which measurement methodologies to use?

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