Measurement of Microplastics in Mouse Lung Tissue by 3D Measuring Laser Microscope and Infrared and Raman Microscope

User Benefits

- Searches and qualitative analysis of microplastics in biological tissue can be conducted easily by using a combination of a 3D measuring laser microscope (OLS5100) and Raman measurement with an infrared and Raman microscope (AIRsight). - Screening for microplastics using the OLS5100 can be expected to shorten the time required for Raman measurements. - Since the measurement region in Raman measurements using the AIRsight is on the order of a few μm, measurement of extremely small microplastics is possible.

Introduction

The environmental impact of microplastics(MPs), defined as plastic particles with sizes of no more than 5 mm, has become an issue. In recent years, there has also been concern that MPs in the air, soil or oceans may be ingested inadvertently by organisms and then be introduced into the human body through the food chain, and this may cause physical obstruction or damage of the feeding organ, gastrointestinal system, lungs, and other organs. Research is also underway to investigate the possibility that additives contained in MPs or harmful substances adsorbed on MPs in the natural environment may have adverse effects on the organs and trigger various diseases. Since the additives and harmful substances adsorbed on MPs differ depending on the type of plastic, it is essential to identify not only the amount, but also the type of MPs in the body. However, due to the extremely small size of MPs in the body, it is difficult to investigate which MPs are present in the body, and in what amounts. Therefore, this article introduces an example in which MPs in the lung tissue of an experimental mouse after respiratory administration of simulated MPs were searched using a OLS5100 3D measuring laser microscope, and a qualitative analysis to identify the type of plastic was carried out using an AIRsight infrared and Raman microscope.

June 12, 2025 GMT