What are microplastics and why should you care?

Plastics have become deeply integrated into our daily lives due to their versatility. Since 1950, over 9.2 billion tons of plastic have been produced, and this number continues to rise rapidly. However, plastic waste management has not kept pace, leading to significant buildup in the environment. Due to their remarkable durability, plastics gradually break down into smaller particles, known as microplastics, through weathering and disintegration. These microplastics eventually end up in oceans, streams, and other ecosystems.

Microplastics are also intentionally added to a wide range of products, including fertilizers, cosmetics, household items, detergents, cleaning products, paints, and products used in the oil and gas industry. They are also released from artificial turf fields. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) reports that the European Union/European Economic Area alone uses about 145,000 tons of intentionally added microplastics annually (ECHA, 2021). In September 2023, the European Commission adopted new measures under the EU Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) legislation to restrict the intentional use of microplastics in products. These measures are expected to prevent the release of approximately half a million tons of microplastics into the environment over the next 20 years.

Microplastics have been found in marine and freshwater ecosystems, as well as in terrestrial environments. Once they enter the environment, they accumulate in animals, eventually making their way back to humans through food and drinking water. Additionally, an international study led by the Eurofins Environment Testing microplastics peer group uncovers the extent of microplastic contamination in the air across three continents. Read more here: https://plasticdustcloud.com/

The impacts of microplastics are still being investigated, but it is clear they negatively affect ecosystems, water quality, and potentially human health. This is due not only to their physical presence but also to associated chemical and biological risks, such as the accumulation of toxic chemicals and the potential transport of harmful pathogens. In April 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it is adding microplastics to its draft Contaminant Candidate List (CCL) under the Safe Drinking Water Act for the first time. This places microplastics on a list of contaminants the agency will study for potential future regulation in public drinking water systems.

Matrices we can test

• Environmental samples / water monitoring
• Drinking water / bottled water / other drinks
• Surface water
• Wastewater
• Ground water
• Sand and sediment
• Soil, sludge, compost and biodegration residues
• Air monitoring
• Food and beverage
• Fish (e.g. tissue, oil)
• Raw milk
• Product testing
• Cosmetics
• Turf

Who we support

• Water boards
• Councils
• Environmental consultancies
• Government programmes
• Academic sector
• Industry and plastic recycling
• Agriculture
• NGOs
• Anyone who is interested