Cross-contamination pathways in the analysis of plastics and related chemical compounds: Good laboratory practices and tips
- Publish Date: 16 - March - 2026
Research Abstract:
The analysis of plastics and related compounds at trace levels is highly susceptible to contamination because many target analytes are ubiquitous in laboratory environments. This work identifies six main contamination pathways: laboratory materials, environmental sources, human handling, solvents and reagents, cleaning and sample preparation, and instrumental systems. For each pathway, preventive strategies and good laboratory practices are proposed based on experimental experience and literature examples. The use of procedural blanks and early consideration of contamination risks during experimental design are strongly recommended. Overall, this study provides a structured framework to improve data reliability, reproducibility, and transparency in plastic-related contaminant analysis.
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