title: Characterization and quantitation of polyolefin microplastics in personal-care products using high-temperature gel-permeation chromatography.
abstract: In recent years, the development of reliable methods for the quantitation of microplastics in different samples, including evaluating the particles' adverse effects in the marine environment, has become a great concern. Because polyolefins are the most prevalent type of polymer in personal-care products containing microplastics, this study presents a novel approach for their quantitation. The method is suitable for aqueous and hydrocarbon-based products, and includes a rapid sample clean-up involving twofold density separation and a subsequent quantitation with high-temperature gel-permeation chromatography. In contrast with previous procedures, both errors caused by weighing after insufficient separation of plastics and matrix and time-consuming visual sorting are avoided. In addition to reliable quantitative results, in this investigation a comprehensive characterization of the polymer particles isolated from the product matrix, covering size, shape, molecular weight distribution and stabilization, is provided. Results for seven different personal-care products are presented. Recoveries of this method were in the range of 92-96 %.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenberger Strasse 69, 4040, Linz, Austria, ingrid.hintersteiner@jku.at.
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hintersteiner
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Himmelsbach
authors.forename: Wolfgang W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Buchberger
mesh_terms: D002850:Chromatography, Gel / Q000379:methods*; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000737:chemistry; D003902:Detergents / Q000737:chemistry; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006795:Household Products / Q000032:analysis*; D008863:Microspheres; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010316:Particle Size; D010969:Plastics / Q000032:analysis*; D011090:Polyenes / Q000032:analysis*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D003358:Cosmetics; D003902:Detergents; D010969:Plastics; D011090:Polyenes; C035051:PL 732