Presentation Profile
Pyrolysis-GCMS analysis of Microplastics in the air atmosphere
Currently Scheduled: 10/15/2024 - 8:00 AM - 8:20 AM
Room: Bluebonnet
Main Author
Athena Nguyen - Frontier Lab Americas
Abstract:
Microplastics are now a worldwide problem. They are tiny fragments shed during the degradation of larger pieces of plastic. They are light enough to be transported by the wind over large distances. Due to their small size, Microplastics (MPs) end up in all sorts of places including the air we breathe, and the water we drink. In this presentation, we demonstrate the study of microplastics (MPs) in the air atmosphere. The method requires very little sample preparation. The MPs were collected by passive sampling method in three different rooms. After 30 days, the analysis was carried out using the Frontier Lab multi-mode micro-furnace pyrolyzer to perform Flash Pyrolysis-Gas chromatography/ Mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). Py-GC/MS is an easy solid sample introduction technique that expands the application areas of GC/MS. It is easy to use and simple to operate. The solid samples can be analyzed as is without going through any solvent extraction steps. This fastens the workflow and reduces labor intensive. The data obtained were analyzed by using the F-search MPs library. The calibration curve was created automatically by the software and quantification was done within minutes. The analytical procedures are very easy and straightforward.
