Methods and challenges in the detection of microplastics and nanoplastics: a mini‐review

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) constitute a newly recognized class of contaminants emerging concern in air, soil, water food, causing unavoidable exposure to humans animals. Detection, identification quantification MPs NPs environmental matrices biota is challenging due the analytes' small size, random morphology, polymeric diversity, applied coatings vast surface areas which attract chemical microbial sorbates. This mini-review explores strengths weaknesses analytical methods commonly used for MP NP quantification, including stereomicroscopy, SEM, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman flow cytometry mass spectrometry techniques matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight, pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass liquid chromatography–tandem spectrometry. Analytical challenges involved precise MP/NP detection have been identified recommendations provided ensure data quality addressing common concerns, difficulty obtaining irrefutable proof that detected polymers originated from sample as opposed contamination during acquisition, processing analysis. © 2021 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf Society Industrial Chemistry.