Microplastics are increasingly detected in drinking water, mineral water, and food. Consequently, statements like "tested for microplastics" are becoming more frequent. What is often missing, however, is a crucial detail: microplastics are not a uniform measurement parameter.
The chosen test method determines what becomes visible – and what remains invisible.
There is no standardized microplastic test
Microplastics differ greatly in:
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Particle size
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Plastic type
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Shape (fibers, fragments, pellets)
Each analysis method only covers a limited part of this spectrum. Test results are therefore always method-dependent.
Common methods and their limitations
Many investigations are based on optical microscopy or simple filtration followed by counting. These methods usually only detect larger particles above certain thresholds.
Advanced methods such as FTIR or Raman spectroscopy allow material identification, but quickly reach their limits with very small particles. Nanoplastics often remain completely below the detection limit.
The result: Two tests of the same water sample can yield completely different results — without either of them being wrong.
What is often not measured
Many standard tests:
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exclude very small particles
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do not detect dissolved or fragmented plastic residues
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evaluate the number, not the biological relevance
However: the smaller the particles, the higher their biological potential for impact – and the more difficult their detection.
Why this is important for consumers
The statement "microplastic-tested" has little meaning without context. Key questions include:
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Which size ranges were analyzed?
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Which plastics were considered?
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Was nanoplastic detected at all?
Without this information, test results can lead to a false sense of security.
Tests provide data – not absolute truth
Microplastic analysis is still evolving. No single method captures the entire spectrum. Meaningful evaluations require transparency and a combination of several approaches, not simplified labels.
Clean water begins with understanding
what has been measured – and what has not.
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