This portable device enables detection of microplastics in our drinks

How can we tell if our drink contains microplastics? Canadian researchers offer an answer. Thanks to a new portable tool, the amount of plastic in our drinks can be measured in just a few minutes.

Teams from the University of British Columbia (UBC) have designed an affordable device capable of detecting microplastics in food and beverages. These tiny particles, invisible to the naked eye, are generated by the degradation of plastic products, like disposable cups.


Using a wireless digital microscope and a green LED light source, this device can reveal microplastics in very small liquid samples. With advanced technology, this apparatus highlights plastic particles invisible to the naked eye. The specific green LED light is used to excite the plastic particles and make them fluorescent, thus facilitating their detection.

The precision of the technology allows identification of particles as small as 50 nanometers, about one hundred times smaller than the width of a human hair. This precision ensures that even the tiniest traces of plastic pollution can be detected, offering a detailed assessment of the contamination in analyzed samples.

The test results are available within minutes, and each analysis costs only 1.5 cents, according to Tianxi Yang, an assistant professor in the faculty of land and food systems at UBC. This device could quickly become indispensable in laboratories, as well as for the general public.

In a study, researchers used this tool to test disposable polystyrene cups. After boiling distilled water in these cups, they discovered hundreds of millions of microplastics released in just 30 minutes.


While the device is currently calibrated to detect polystyrene, it can be adjusted for other types of plastics, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. This makes it a promising tool for a wide range of applications. The long-term goal is to commercialize this device to analyze plastic pollution in real-world contexts. The implications are vast, ranging from protecting public health to preserving the environment.

Growing awareness of the dangers of microplastics could accelerate the adoption of such technologies. Sustainable alternatives, such as glass or stainless steel, are also encouraged to reduce exposure to plastics.