Project Overview

The Microplastics Science Optimizing Solutions: Sources, Impacts, and Strategies for Oregon (MP-SOS) project is a multi-sectoral collaborative project examining the efficacy of storm drain, washing machine, and dryer vent filters in four Oregon coastal communities. The project is quantifying and compare the amounts and types of microfibres entering ecosystems from stormdrains,  washing machines, and dryer vents and testing interventions to reduce environmental leakage from these sources.

Project Design

Sample Collection 

 Microplastics Removal through Stormwater Control Measures 

 Six liters of stormwater were sampled from three drains and three outfalls in Cannon Beach and Yachats, three drains and one outfall in Pacific City and two drains and two outfalls in Depoe Bay using a 63-micron sieve during a sufficient Spring, Fall and Winter rain event before and after installing the filters. All samples included an air fall control, and each community included a triplicate sample.

 Microplastics Removal through Wastewater Control Measures  

Participants in 90 households across Cannon Beach and Depoe Bay were recruited via community establishments and events and through referrals. A survey was used to determine suitability for the study. Unsuccessful installations were retained as controls. Participants received washed and muffle-furnaced glass jars covered with foil and a metal lid to collect monthly or bimonthly samples over a year. Surveys were issued at the beginning, middle and end of the sampling period to evaluate the efficacy of the filters and experiences of the users. 

 Dryer Vent Comparison 

Dryer lint samples from fifteen households were collected from Cannon Beach and Depoe Bay at weekly or biweekly intervals over one month using 100 micron mesh dryer filters.

Sample Processing 

The sample were evaporated, separated by density, filtered and dried. The dried samples were investigated using a dissecting microscope and a Bruker microscope Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer. Baseline analysis showed the presence of microfibers, tire wear particles, foam, fragments and film.