It started with a coffee filter.

Scientists from Victoria University’s MiNa lab, a research team that studies the behavior of fluids, wanted to know if the coffee machine was leaking plastic into their morning drink.

After running tests on the coffee, they determined that it did, in fact, come with a side of microplastics.

“As soon as we found it, we realized that the presence of microplastics would be more widespread in our daily lives,” said Abbas Motalebizadeh, a PhD student at UVic and administrator of the MiNa lab in the department of mechanical engineering.

That led them to another question: What can we do to help people become more aware of their consumption of microplastics?

The team set out to develop a portable and affordable device to test for the presence of microplastics in liquids, with the aim of creating something that could be easily used by anyone at home.

Liquid samples are dropped onto a test, where they mix with gold nanoparticles, which appear red. The clearer the liquid is after mixing with the reagent, the higher the concentration of microplastics.

People will also be able to quantify the amount of microplastics using an app, Motalebizadeh said.

Tests to detect the presence of microplastics already exist, but large devices are limited to laboratories, he said. The team is developing a test that fits in the palm of your hand and could cost just a few dollars.

Microplastics have been found in human blood, meaning they have passed through organs, Motalebizadeh said.

“It’s become an area of ​​research because scientists, researchers and doctors have found it in the human body, but we’re not exactly sure what that means for human health,” said Emily Earl, MiNa’s director of laboratory operations.

Motalebizadeh said the team detected microplastics in bottled and tap water. He hopes that allowing people to determine their intake will help them make choices to reduce their consumption of microplastics.

“As far as we know, we believe that any physical contact with plastic products can leach microplastics. For example, even when you have a plastic container with your food and you want to have lunch and try to cut it with a spoon, it can leak microplastics,” he said.

A prototype is expected to be ready next spring. Motalebizadeh is not sure when the device will be ready for market, as it may require approvals from government agencies.

Replacing plastic containers with glass or metal alternatives can help, he said.

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