The release of the new Australian Standard AS ISO 24187: Principles for the analysis of microplastics present in the environment marks a significant milestone in tackling microplastic pollution.
This achievement is the result of dedicated contributions from experts, including Hub researcher Dr Rumana Hossain, whose work on Standards Australia’s ME-009 Microplastics Committee helped shape national guidelines for microplastics analysis.
Microplastics—tiny plastic particles found in air, water and soil—pose a growing threat to ecosystems and human health.
However, inconsistent methodologies have made it difficult to assess and mitigate their impact.
The newly published standard provides a consistent, science-backed framework for analysing microplastics, ensuring accurate and comparable data across studies.
Dr Hossain’s expertise, which is also part of the IP2: Understanding Microplastics project in the Hub, contributed to the development of these principles.
As part of the Hub’s broader mission to deliver science-based management options for waste and pollution, this standard lays the groundwork for better monitoring, policymaking and industry action in Australia and internationally.
The implementation of this standard will benefit researchers, government agencies and industries working to understand, and ultimately, reduce microplastic pollution.
This type of work helps to bridge the gap between science and real-world impact.
