Abstract
Background: Microplastics are increasingly detected in drinking water sources, raising public health concerns due to their potential toxicological effects and widespread environmental presence. However, current detection methods such as FTIR and Raman spectroscopy are expensive, technically demanding, and inaccessible for routine or community-based monitoring. There is an urgent need for a simple, low cost alternative that enables rapid and visible detection of microplastics in household water.
Objective: This study aimed to develop and validate a low-cost, user-friendly microplastic detection kit that allows non-specialists to identify and semi-quantitatively assess microplastic contamination in tap water using simple laboratory materials and visual output.
Methods: The kit combines syringe-based manual filtration, selective staining with Nile Red dye, and f luorescence visualization under handheld UV light. Simulated tap water samples containing defined concentrations of polyethylene microbeads were used to test the kit's performance. Evaluation focused on sensitivity, staining clarity, repeatability, user consistency, and ease of interpretation based on a three-tier classification system (low, moderate, high).
Results: The kit reliably detected microplastic concentrations as low as 25 particles per 100 mL, with strong fluorescence and minimal background interference. Classification accuracy reached 100%, and inter-observer agreement was high (Cohen's kappa = 0.89). Repeatability across trials showed low vari ability (CV < 12%). The visual scoring system enabled rapid categorization without the need for digital tools or scientific training.
Conclusion: This microplastic detection kit offers a practical, affordable solution for preliminary screen ing and public education. It bridges a critical gap between laboratory-based detection and community engagement, enabling schools, households, and citizen scientists to play an active role in environmental monitoring. Future iterations may incorporate digital image analysis, finer filtration, and multi-contami nant capabilities to expand its impact.
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