Supporting environmental and human exposure studies with an open-access Raman database.
The EXIMIOUS project has released a powerful new tool to accelerate research on microplastic pollution: a curated open-access Raman Spectra Reference Library. This digital resource compiles high-quality Raman spectra from a diverse range of microplastic materials, enabling more accurate identification and classification of polymers commonly detected in environmental and human exposure samples.
Designed with scientific rigor in mind, the spectra were acquired using standardized parameters to ensure reproducibility across studies. Image acquisition was performed in dark field mode at 20× magnification, while Raman settings included a laser power of 3 mW, 0.01 s per pixel exposure, 5 scans per point, and a spatial resolution of 0.4 μm/pixel. Each point measurement used an exposure time of 0.1 seconds, carefully optimized to maintain spectral quality without thermally degrading the microplastic particles.
By providing a reliable and accessible spectral reference, this library aims to streamline the workflow for researchers in environmental sciences, toxicology, and public health—offering a valuable asset for robust polymer analysis in complex samples.
