Scientists Found a Big Problem With How We Measure Microplastics

A University of Michigan study found lab glove residue can contaminate microplastic samples.

Stearate salts from gloves can mimic polyethylene in vibrational spectroscopy and be misidentified as plastics.

Tests showed gloves could transfer over 7,000 false particles per mm², many under 5 µm.

The authors advise avoiding standard gloves or using stearate-free gloves and developed methods to recheck datasets.