Previous successes and untapped potential of pyrolysis–GC/MS for the analysis of plastic pollution

There is growing concern from scientists, policy makers, and the public about the contamination of natural and indoor environments with plastics, particularly micro/nanoplastics. Typically, characterizing microplastics in environmental samples requires extensive sample processing to isolate particles, followed by spectroscopic methodologies to identify particle polymer composition. Spectroscopic techniques are limited in their ability to provide polymer mass or advanced chemical composition (e.g., chemical additive content), which are important for toxicological assessments. To achieve mass fraction quantification and chemical characterization of plastics in environmental samples, many researchers have turned to thermoanalytical spectrometric approaches, particularly pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py–GC/MS). Sample preparation for Py–GC/MS may be approached similarly to techniques needed for spectroscopic approaches (e.g., isolate particles on a filter), employ pressurized solvent extraction, or use ultrafiltration techniques to concentrate nanoplastics. Great strides have been made in using calibration curves to quantify plastics in complex matrices. However, the approaches to the pyrolysis thermal program, as well as calibrant and sample preparation, are inconsistent, requiring refinement and harmonization. This review provides a critical synthesis of previous Py–GC/MS work and highlights opportunities for novel and improved Py–GC/MS analysis of plastics in the future. Graphical Abstract