Microplastics Testing in Drinking Water | Micro-FT-IR | NABL Lab

Auriga Research provides microplastics testing in drinking water, bottled water, packaged beverages, table salt, dairy, and other food matrices. Using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy with optical microscopy (Micro-FT-IR), we identify and quantify synthetic polymer particles from 1 µm to 5 mm, distinguishing genuine plastic fragments from look-alike organic or mineral debris.

Microplastic contamination is now recognised as an emerging environmental and food safety concern. WHO has examined the potential human health risks of microplastic exposure through drinking water, and independent studies have reported individual water samples containing anywhere from zero to over 10,000 particles per litre. A widely cited survey of major bottled water brands found 93% contaminated at 14-118 particles per litre.

What Are Microplastics

Microplastics are particles of principally synthetic polymeric composition in the microscale — typically between 1 µm and 5 mm. They are now ubiquitous in the environment and have been detected in marine water, freshwater, wastewater, soil, food, air, and both bottled and tap drinking water. Their small size makes them invisible to the consumer but readily ingestible.

Sources of Microplastic Contamination

Synthetic textile fibres — released during laundering of polyester, nylon, and acrylic clothing
Tyre wear particles from vehicles entering stormwater and surface water
Industrial plastic pellets (nurdles) and pre-production resins
Microbeads in personal care products — toothpaste, exfoliants, soaps
Fragmentation of improperly disposed plastic waste over time
Packaging shedding — particles released from PET bottles, caps, and liners during filling and storage
Filtration and pipework materials in water treatment and distribution

Health Concerns

Although plastics themselves are largely insoluble and non-digestible, microplastic exposure raises three distinct concerns documented in the scientific literature:

Direct ingestion — smaller particles can deposit in the intestines and may translocate to the bloodstream, kidneys, liver, pancreas, and other vital organs
Plastic additives — phthalates, bisphenols, and heavy metal colorants act as endocrine disruptors linked to hormonal cancers, reproductive issues, metabolic disorders, and neurodevelopmental effects
Biofilm carrier effect — microplastic surfaces can host pathogenic bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Legionella species
Hydrophobic chemical sorption — microplastics can absorb persistent organic pollutants (POPs) including PCBs, PAHs, and organochlorine pesticides, concentrating them in tissues when ingested

Polymers Identified

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) — bottles and packaging films
Polyethylene (PE) — caps, liners, packaging
Polypropylene (PP) — closures, containers, woven fabrics
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) — pipes, tubing, gaskets
Polystyrene (PS) — cups, trays, single-use packaging
Polyamide / nylon — textiles, filter materials
Polyesters and styrene-butadiene copolymers
Polyurethane (PU) — foams, coatings, elastomers

Method — Micro-FT-IR Spectroscopy

Samples are first concentrated by filtration through pre-conditioned filters to capture particles down to 1 µm. The filter is then examined under optical microscopy to count and size suspected particles, after which each candidate particle is interrogated by FT-IR to confirm its polymer composition against a reference spectral library. This combined Micro-FT-IR approach is recognised as the most reliable, non-destructive, and reproducible method for microplastic identification in drinking water and food matrices. Strict laboratory contamination controls — synthetic-fibre-free workwear, HEPA-filtered air, and parallel procedural blanks — are maintained throughout sample preparation.

Sample Matrices Accepted

Packaged drinking water and bottled water (PET and glass)
Tap water, municipal supply, and treated drinking water
Carbonated soft drinks, juices, and bottled beverages
Beer, wines, and spirits
Milk, dairy products, and infant formula
Table salt, sugar, and granulated food ingredients
Cosmetics, personal care products, and rinse-off formulations

Sample Requirements and Turnaround

Minimum sample volume is approximately 100 mL (1/10 of a litre) for drinking water, with larger volumes recommended for low-contamination matrices. Solid foods require approximately 100 g. Standard turnaround for a complete Micro-FT-IR microplastics report — including particle count, size distribution, and polymer identification per particle — is 12-15 working days from sample receipt. Expedited service is available on request.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are microplastics and what size range is tested?

Microplastics are particles of synthetic polymeric composition between 1 µm and 5 mm in size. Auriga Research detects and identifies microplastic particles across this entire range, with sub-categories typically reported as 1-50 µm, 50-300 µm, 300 µm-1 mm, and 1-5 mm. Particles below 1 µm fall under the nanoplastic category and require specialised analytical methods.

Which analytical method is used to identify microplastics?

Auriga Research uses Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy coupled with optical microscopy (Micro-FT-IR) for microplastic identification. FT-IR is non-destructive, reliable, and able to chemically confirm the polymer type — distinguishing true plastic particles from look-alike organic or mineral fragments. Manual microscopic counting alone, without spectroscopic confirmation, cannot reliably confirm whether a particle is plastic, which is why the FT-IR step is essential.

Which polymers can you identify in a drinking water sample?

Our Micro-FT-IR library covers the major synthetic polymers found in food and drinking water samples: polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyamide / nylon, polyesters, polyurethane (PU), and styrene-butadiene copolymers. Each detected particle is reported with its polymer identification, particle count, and size category.

How much sample is required and which matrices can you test?

The required sample volume is small — approximately 100 mL (1/10 of a litre) for most drinking water analyses, though larger volumes are recommended for very low-contamination matrices. Matrices we accept include packaged drinking water, bottled water, tap water, table salt, sugar, milk and dairy products, carbonated drinks, beer, spirits, infant formula, and bottled beverages. Sampling and storage guidance is provided to avoid cross-contamination from airborne synthetic fibres.

Why should bottled water and beverage brands test for microplastics?

WHO has flagged microplastics in drinking water as an emerging health concern. A widely cited study of major bottled water brands found that 93% contained microplastics at 14-118 particles per litre. Beyond regulatory anticipation, consumers and retailers are increasingly demanding microplastic disclosure as part of sustainability and product safety claims. Periodic monitoring also helps brands identify contamination introduced by packaging, filling lines, or source water, before it becomes a recall or reputation issue.

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