New Affordable Tool Makes Detecting Dangerous Microplastics Possible Worldwide
Affiliate Disclosure
Hey fellow impactful ninja ?
You may have noticed that Impactful Ninja is all about providing helpful information to make a positive impact on the world and society. And that we love to link back to where we found all the information for each of our posts.
Most of these links are informational-based for you to check out their primary sources with one click.
But some of these links are so-called "affiliate links" to products that we recommend.
Why do we add these product links?
First and foremost, because we believe that they add value to you. For example, when we wrote a post about the environmental impact of long showers, we came across an EPA recommendation to use WaterSense showerheads. So we linked to where you can find them. Or, for many of our posts, we also link to our favorite books on that topic so that you can get a much more holistic overview than one single blog post could provide.
And when there is an affiliate program for these products, we sign up for it. For example, as Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.
What do these affiliate links mean for you?
First, and most importantly, we still only recommend products that we believe add value for you.
When you buy something through one of our affiliate links, we may earn a small commission - but at no additional costs to you.
And when you buy something through a link that is not an affiliate link, we won’t receive any commission but we’ll still be happy to have helped you.
What do these affiliate links mean for us?
When we find products that we believe add value to you and the seller has an affiliate program, we sign up for it.
When you buy something through one of our affiliate links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra costs to you).
And at this point in time, all money is reinvested in sharing the most helpful content with you. This includes all operating costs for running this site and the content creation itself.
What does this mean for me personally?
You may have noticed by the way Impactful Ninja is operated that money is not the driving factor behind it. It is a passion project of mine and I love to share helpful information with you to make a positive impact on the world and society. However, it's a project in that I invest a lot of time and also quite some money.
Eventually, my dream is to one day turn this passion project into my full-time job and provide even more helpful information. But that's still a long time to go.
Stay impactful,
At Impactful Ninja, we curate positive and impactful news for you. Follow us on Google News or sign up for our free newsletter to get these delivered straight to your inbox—just like our expert roundup below!
📰 The quick summary: McGill University researchers created an affordable, high-throughput tool called HoLDI-MS that effectively detects nano and microplastics in environmental samples, enabling global plastic pollution monitoring.
📈 One key stat: The new HoLDI-MS technology costs only a few dollars per sample, making plastic pollution detection accessible to researchers worldwide.
💬 One key quote: “With HoLDI, we provide a method that is effective, quantitative, highly accurate and affordable, making it accessible to researchers worldwide,” said Chemistry Professor Parisa Ariya, who led the study.
1️⃣ The big picture: Scientists at McGill University developed a revolutionary technology to detect nanoplastics and microplastics in our environment. The HoLDI-MS (hollow-laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry) platform addresses a critical gap in monitoring plastic pollution at the smallest scales. Unlike traditional methods that require complex sample preparation, this 3D-printed tool allows direct analysis of samples. The technology works for both airborne and waterborne plastic particles, offering a comprehensive approach to tracking these pervasive pollutants that pose risks to human health and ecosystems.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: This breakthrough technology makes detecting harmful plastic particles more accessible to scientists everywhere through its affordability and efficiency. The method requires minimal energy, is recyclable, and dramatically reduces the cost per sample to just a few dollars. By enabling worldwide data comparison and validation across laboratories, the tool advances international cooperation in battling plastic pollution. The technology pinpoints major sources of nano and microplastics in the environment, which helps target pollution reduction efforts. Scientists can now detect these particles in both indoor and outdoor environments, creating a more complete picture of plastic contamination.
3️⃣ What’s next: Research teams will deploy the HoLDI-MS technology for global plastic pollution monitoring efforts. Scientists can now establish universal protocols for nanoplastic detection across various environments. The method aligns with United Nations Environment Programme recommendations to improve detection methods for international plastic pollution research.
Read the full story here: ScienceDaily – Practical new tool created for detecting nanoplastics and microplastics in the environment
