Chiron AS And NIVA Introduce Groundbreaking Microplastic Reference Materials

In a significant stride towards addressing global plastic pollution, Chiron AS, now integrated into ZeptoMetrix®, has unveiled the world's first commercially available microplastic reference materials. This innovative product line, dubbed MicroPRefs®, emerges from a collaborative effort with the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA). The development was propelled by financial support from the EU project EUROqCHARM and Innovation Norway, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against microplastic pollution.

Microplastics, tiny particles resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic debris, are pervasive in environments worldwide, contaminating water, soil, and air. These particles not only pose significant environmental threats but also carry harmful substances like PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) and brominated flame retardants, thereby elevating health risks to communities globally.

Dr. Huiling Liu, Ph.D., Senior Director of R&D Analytical Reference Materials at ZeptoMetrix, emphasized the necessity of a standard for measuring microplastic contamination. The MicroPRefs® range addresses this need by offering reference materials for the six most common plastics found in nature. These materials come in a novel tablet format, designed to dissolve in water for analysis alongside real environmental samples.

The initial offerings from this range include single polymer tablets containing microplastic particles sized between 50 and 300 microns. Additionally, multi-polymer tablets comprising three different types of plastics have been introduced. ZeptoMetrix plans to expand this range further with variants featuring diverse sizes, quantities, and combinations of plastics to aid research efforts.

Evangeline Gonzalez, President of ZeptoMetrix, highlighted the company's commitment to supporting environmental health through innovation. By providing these reference materials, laboratories worldwide can now achieve more accurate microplastics testing results. Furthermore, ZeptoMetrix is collaborating with industry organizations and leading laboratories to integrate microplastics into proficiency testing programs.

About ZeptoMetrix: As part of Antylia Scientific, ZeptoMetrix® stands at the forefront of addressing challenges within Diagnostic Microbiology, Infectious Disease, Oncology markets, and Analytical Reference Materials for Applied Markets. The company prides itself on delivering high-quality products and services that contribute to advancements across various industries including diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, environmental, food and beverage. With a focus on customer success, ZeptoMetrix continues to lead in providing innovative solutions that support clinical diagnostics and analytical testing while promoting global health.