Qualitative and Quantitative Characterization of Microplastics Released from Infant PET Outerwear Using ICP-AES and...

Textile-derived microplastics (MPs), particularly polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microfibers from infant garments, are an emerging concern due to potential early-life exposure and the vulnerability of infant physiological systems. However, existing analytical methods are often limited by complexity or poor suitability for larger, irregular textile fibers, with techniques such as SP-ICP-MS being less effective in this size domain. In this study, household laundering conditions were simulated (20-40 °C) to investigate PET microfiber release from infant outerwear. A combined ICP-AES and FTIR workflow was developed for quantitative and qualitative analysis. Washing was simulated using a color fastness tester, and samples were pretreated via Fenton oxidation and NaBr density separation. Carbon measured by ICP-AES was converted to PET mass, while FTIR confirmed polymer identity. The results showed that PET microfiber release increased from 1.75 to 2.53 mg with rising temperature, averaging 2.18 mg. FTIR peaks at 1713, 1251, and 1090 cm^-1 confirmed PET as the dominant polymer. This study developed a detection method integrating ICP-AES quantification and FTIR qualitative characterization for MPs. In contrast to the SP-ICP-MS approach limited by fiber morphology and size, the established method realizes the qualitative and quantitative analysis of MPs to some extent and offers supporting data for the contamination control of MPs in infant apparel.