Faster and cheaper way to check for microplastics in Hong Kong drinking water unveiled by Education University

Hong Kong scientists have developed a way to test microplastic levels in water faster and cheaper. The team at Education University said on Tuesday the new tests could be done in 10 per cent of the time and cost just 20 per cent of traditional methods. The new technology uses a total organic carbon analyser, a device usually found in filter stations and waste water treatment plants, to test for microplastics in the environment. Although the devices, used to measure the amount of organic, inorganic or total carbon in water or soil samples, cannot give a definite number of plastic pieces or identify the types of microplastic in a sample, they can provide an overall quantity for reference. “It is like rapid tests for detecting Covid-19. It can show the infection rate in a given area. But you still need polymerase chain reaction tests for a more precise understanding,” Chris Tsang Yiu-fai, an associate environmental science professor at the university, who led the project, explained. Tsang said the technology could complete an analysis in about four hours, down from 40 to 60 hours, and was able to handle a variety of samples, including drinking water, seawater, sludge and soil. The traditional method involves measuring the presence of microplastics in samples by use of a microscope. The devices cost between HK$300,000 (US$38,300) and HK$500,000, compared to conventional lab-standard spectrometers that could cost between HK$1.5 million and HK$2.3 million. The scientists added they hoped the technology could be adapted to monitor the city’s drinking water and waste water to help the government find ways to deal with the fast-increasing pollutants. The city’s drinking water is mostly supplied by the Dong River in neighbouring Guangdong, which supplies up to 1.1 billion cubic metres (290 billion gallons) of freshwater a year to the city. “The invention can provide authorities with a daily overview of water quality, for example, the microplastic levels in drinking water from the Dong River,” Cheng said. Billions of plastic bits pouring into sea in Hong Kong, study shows Microplastics are tiny particles created by the breakdown of larger plastics, such as bottles and clothes made of synthetic fibres. The term also includes commercial products containing microbeads, such as exfoliating scrubs and face wash. The particles – less than 5mm long – can be found almost everywhere, even in seabed sediments 3,000 metres (9,843 feet) down. A groundbreaking study in Norway last December revealed microplastics could cross the placenta into unborn babies. The particles are shown to damage human cells and DNA, help draw toxins into the bloodstream and trigger inflammatory responses. Research by the International Union for Conservation of Nature has found that synthetic textiles are the largest source of microplastics. Artificial fabrics accounted for 35 per cent of the global release of microplastics, followed by tyre wear at 28 per cent and city dust at 24 per cent. There are no recognised international levels for microplastics in drinking water or a global standardised method for testing water samples for the contaminant. Hong Kong needs EV battery recycling facility to tackle mounting waste: experts The Water Supplies Department said it would “stay up-to-date” with mainland authorities, international organisations and city institutions and take appropriate action whenever necessary. “Conventional treatment processes … are designed to remove particulates and are therefore expected to effectively remove microplastics smaller than a micrometre,” a spokeswoman said. Fresh water from the Dong River or rainfall collected in reservoirs is at present treated with a variety of coagulants to remove impurities before it is filtered, disinfected and piped to customers. The Environmental Protection Department and the Drainage Services Department said the limited information the Education University technology could provide did not allow for accurate assessments. “It cannot differentiate between the different types of microplastics, nor does it give any information on microplastics counts, size, colour or shape, all of which constitute useful and important information in assessing microplastics pollution,” a spokeswoman said. “One of the major topics and key considerations in microplastics-related research and monitoring programmes is the standardisation of analytical methods for meaningful data benchmarking and sharing.” But she added that environmental authorities welcomed “suggestions and collaborative opportunities with local academics with a view to further improving our microplastics monitoring and assessment capacity”.

Faster and cheaper way to check for microplastics in Hong Kong drinking water unveiled by Education University

University team says new microplastics test for water takes 10 per cent of time and costs just 20 per cent of price tag for traditional ones But new test unable to give number of plastic pieces or identify types of microplastics in samples

University team says new microplastics test for water takes 10 per cent of time and costs just 20 per cent of price tag for traditional ones

But new test unable to give number of plastic pieces or identify types of microplastics in samples