Microplastics in water and the environment is one of the hot topics under the general discussion of environmental professionals. These microplastic particles are present everywhere, also in tap water. Microplastics can already be found inside human bodies and are suspected of causing long-term health problems. Now, the authorities and other professionals are working on new regulations to reduce the amount of microplastic load in the future.
In this app note, we describe how well the Sartorius Arium® Pro VF series can remove microplastic particles from normal tap water, deionized water or other suitable water sources using two different test setups and prevent the particles from causing any challenges in laboratory work.
Microplastics are tiny fragments (less than 5,000 to 1 µm in diameter) of plastics that end up in nature by degradation on bigger plastic products or from sources like cosmetics, clothing, car tires, and industrial processes (Figure 1). There is rising concern about microplastic pollution in lakes, oceans, and drinking water, which in turn increases the demand for regulation and laboratory testing of microplastics in different kinds of products, environmental samples and other sample types since these particles can eventually cause for example health hazards.
Microplastics are found everywhere including tap water and other clean water sources, but also inside human bodies. The long-term health effect of microplastics is still unknown, but preliminary evidence suggests that they might affect stress levels and immune responses. For these reasons, it is really important to implement all possible solutions to hinder microplastic count in different locations, such as in laboratory water systems.
Ultrapure Water Purification System Overview: Application-Oriented and Flexible to Meet the Highest Demands
The Arium® Pro VF series stands as a trusted source of ultrapure water, and it distinguishes itself by offering a flexible and modular system. In comparison to conventional devices, these systems provide remarkable added value. One standout feature is that all systems within this series not only meet but exceed the stringent ASTM Type 1 water quality standards, ensuring the delivery of the highest quality results in their category. These systems are capable of dispensing up to 2 liters of consistently high-quality ultrapure water per minute, with a conductivity of 0.055 µS x cm-1 (equivalent to 18.2 MΩ x cm). Moreover, when equipped with the Arium® Sterile Plus final filter, they deliver ultrapure water that is virtually free from microorganisms.
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