Microplastics Testing Services

Huntington Beach, California, July 8, 2025

Last month, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) announced it had released a rulemaking package that proposes adding microplastics to the Candidate Chemicals List. This would allow DTSC to evaluate products that contribute to microplastic pollution and possible regulation as Priority Products. The agency defines a Priority Product as a consumer product that contains one or more Candidate Chemicals that have the potential to harm people or the environment, and that has been formally listed in the California Code of Regulations through rulemaking.

According to the announcement:

Microplastics are pervasive, persistent, and increasingly linked to potential risks to human health, wildlife and the environment. They have been found in nearly every corner of the planet, including oceans, soil, indoor air, and even on the highest mountain peaks. They also have been detected in human blood, placenta, lung tissue, and stool samples. 

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) describes microplastics as plastic fragments less than 5 mm in length. They are further categorized into primary and secondary microplastics. Primary microplastics include microbeads, plastic pellets, and other manufactured raw plastic materials. Secondary microplastics are created when larger plastic items degrade into progressively smaller fragments.

“Due to their tiny size, unique shapes, and chemical composition, microplastics could cause a number of health issues that are not yet fully understood,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “At LA Testing, our consumer product and environmental testing laboratories offer microplastic identification services using a wide range of physical and chemical test methods. These services help to protect people and the environment, and support the efforts of companies to comply with existing and future consumer product regulations.”

To learn more about this or other consumer product, material, environmental, health, and safety testing resources, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com, or call (800) 755-1794.

 

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, bacteria, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.