A recent study has developed a powerful optical imaging technique for the rapid analysis of nanoplastics, addressing a fundamental knowledge gap in nanoplastics due to the lack of effective analytical techniques. The study, led by Naixin Qian, Xin Gao, Xiaoqi Lang, and Wei Min, demonstrates the capability of the technique by analyzing micro-nano plastics in bottled water, revealing more than 105 particles in each liter of bottled water, the majority of which are nanoplastics.

The study addresses the increasing concerns about micro-nano plastics originating from the prevalent usage of plastics. It highlights the need for effective analytical techniques to bridge the knowledge gap on plastic pollution at the nano level. The existence of microplastics and possibly even nanoplastics in the environment underscores the urgency of quantifying environmental micro-nano plastics with sufficient particle statistics.

To meet the crucial requirements of sensitivity, specificity, and throughput of single-particle analysis for nanoplastics, the study introduces a data science–driven hyperspectral stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy as a powerful platform for nanoplastics detection. SRS microscopy utilizes stimulated Raman spectroscopy as the imaging contrast mechanism and has found increasing utility in biomedical imaging.

The development of this technique holds promise for advancing the analysis of nanoplastics in real-life samples, providing a valuable tool for researchers and environmentalists to better understand and address the challenges posed by micro-nano plastics in the environment.