Table 2 Number and type of MPs detected in cow’s milk samples.

From: Detection and characterization of small-sized microplastics (≥ 5 µm) in milk products

Milk samples

Total number of MPs per 100 mL**

MP surface < 50 µm2 (%)

PE

PES

PP

PTFE

PS

Other polymers

Blank (milking machine)—(2nd collection)

52

81

52

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

Raw milk (1st collection)

204

70

76

44

76

ND

ND

4 PU***

4 PA***

Raw milk (2nd collection)

625

71

585

10

0

25

ND

5 PA***

Cow’s milk liquid (brand A)

232

83

ND

8

20

108

96

ND

Cow’s milk liquid 1 (brand B)

284

85

52

44

20

116

28

4 PU***

4 PSU***

16 PVA***

Cow’s milk liquid 2 (brand B)

348

69

136

100

30

24

38

20 PU***

Cow’s milk liquid (brand C)

172

89

44

ND

32

84

ND

12 PU***

Cow’s milk powder* (brand A)

356

79

28

188

84

52

ND

4 PA***

Cow milk powder* (brand B)

1004

82

44

32

44

880

ND

4 PA***

  1. ND not detected.
  2. *Reconstituted cow’s milk samples (13 g powder in 100 mL water which corresponds to the serving size of liquid and reconstituted cow’s milk samples with a standard nutritional energy of ca 67 kcal for milk products).
  3. **Values subtracted from the blank.
  4. ***PA: polyamide; PU: polyurethane; PSU: polysulfone; PVA: polyvinyl alcohol.