PolyBioAid by IRMA

Microplastics are plastic particles between 5 mm and 1 µm in size (ISO 24187: 2023). They can be directly formulated in the form of micrometric particles (primary microplastics) or derived from the degradation of larger plastic objects (secondary microplastics). Found in all types of environment and in living organisms, microplastics are now considered to be persistent pollutants that are of interest to everyone.

IRMA, in conjunction with the research carried out at the University of Southern Brittany, has developed a microplastic analysis and characterisation service.

Our laboratory deals with all types of matrices (water, soil, sediment, organic amendments, etc.). Depending on the size of the particles and the purpose of the study, microplastics can be identified by infrared spectroscopy and/or GC-MS pyrolysis.

Our services

Rapid analysis

• Infrared extraction and chemical identification of plastic particles larger than 710 µm.
• Quantification (number and mass) of the polymers identified.
• Why ? To get a quick overview of the contamination on a site without the need for exhaustiveness.

Exhaustive analysis

• Extraction and chemical identification of plastic particles larger than 10 µm
• Quantification (number and/or mass depending on the analytical technique) of the polymers identified
• Why ? To study the degradation of a polymer, to give an exhaustive description of the state of contamination at a site

Benefits :

• Continuous improvement of the database with spectra of environmental microplastics
• Protocols adapted to each type of matrix
• Handling of environmental samples containing asbestos residues

Regulations 

A number of research studies have highlighted the harmful effects of the presence of large numbers of microplastics on human health and the environment. This is why regulatory constraints have been put in place in recent years in France and at European level, notably with progressive restrictions on the intentional addition of microplastics to manufactured products such as cosmetics( REACH/ECHA regulations and et AGEC law).

Several standards concerning analytical methods have also been developed:

ISO 24187 (09/2023) Principles for the analysis of microplastics in the environment

XP T90-968-1 (12/2023) Water quality – Analysis of microplastics in human drinking water and groundwater – Part 1: methods using vibrational spectroscopy

What is biodegradation ?

The biodegradation of a substance or material is its ability to be broken down by organisms and micro-organisms without having a negative impact on them.

And plastic materials ?

The term ‘bioplastic’ is often used to designate a biodegradable plastic material, but in reality there are two key concepts behind it: the origin of the raw material and the end-of-life of the product. A plastic material can be derived from fossil resources and still be biodegradable, just as a biobased plastic material may not be suitable for biodegradation. It is therefore preferable to use the term ‘biobased and/or biodegradable plastic’.

Compostable versus Biodegradable ?

Compostability refers to a standard that establishes a certain number of criteria to be met by the material/substance, of which biodegradability is one, in order to be qualified as suitable for composting (industrial or domestic).

How is it assessed?

The biodegradability of a substance can be assessed on the basis of the standards set out in the table below. A distinction is made between biodegradability/compostability and easy biodegradability.

• Compostability/Biodegradability ?

This is based on a comprehensive test programme that evaluates several criteria:

• Easy biodegradability

This only assesses the substance’s ability to biodegrade over a period of 28 days. Specific tests depending on the type of substance (volatility, solubility, adsorption) are standardised and based on the measurement of oxygen consumed or carbon dioxide produced during the biodegradation process.