Microplastics quantified with crime scene adhesive tape

Microplastics are present in land, air and water environments but there is no standardised approach for their collection and analysis.

Studies currently involve retrieving microplastic samples from water using filtration with samples analysed in situ on the filter or after removal from it by hand, which is time consuming and risks accidental loss of the particles and cross contamination.

Claire Gwinnett, Professor of Forensic and Environmental Science at Staffordshire University, is part of the team that created Easylift adhesive tape over a decade ago and has more recently applied her expertise in fibre analysis to microplastics.

“Easylift tape was developed for the forensic market. However, what we have found is that the same benefits are true when looking at particulates from any environment,” she said in a statement. “We realised that it holds great potential for microplastics work, particularly when you are out in the field, for example on a boat or on a beach, where the risk of losing or contaminating your microplastic samples is huge.”