Representatives from national health institutes, civil society, and industry joined POLYRISK scientists in Amsterdam on 27 June to discuss the latest POLYRISK findings on micro- and nano plastics and their impacts on immune health.
As part of the final project meeting, the stakeholder event allowed attendees to explore what we now know about the risks of plastic particles and share their input on the lessons learned and ways forward for MNP human health research.
Expert speakers included:
- Isabelle Guelinckx, ILSI-food
- Nerea Aizpurua, European Commission
- Camilla Carteney, Plastics Europe
- Gert de Kremer, Avient
- Natalia Ivleva, Technical University Munich
- Francesco Cubadda, ISS, National Institute of Health
- Dorota Napierska, Zero Waste Europe
- Maria Westerbos, Plastic Soup Foundation
The stakeholder event was moderated by independent scientist-consultant, Heather Leslie.
Key takeaways from the event
Toxicity testing and methodologies
- POLYRISK helped develop key analytical methods and protocols to detect microplastics in human blood, water and air samples, advancing the field of human exposure assessment of these particles.
- Nanoplastic particles are challenging to produce for toxicity testing and analytical calibration purposes, and more difficult to detect than microplastics.
Plastic particles and health impacts
- POLYRISK found evidence of elevated exposure to microplastics among those working in the synthetic textile industry highlighting the importance of occupational studies in future research.
- POLYRISK’s testing has not uncovered evidence of acute impacts of microplastic exposure on immune system health, although slight increases in blood leukocytes were found. However, questions remain about the potential impact of long term microplastic exposure and whether vulnerable populations are more at risk.
- Microplastics change with age. Size and surface changes may affect their biological activities in unpredictable ways. This is why POLYRISK researchers made efforts to age their particles prior to testing for proinflammatory effects.
Plastic pollution and regulation
- POLYRISK provided risk scientists and regulators with a risk assessment framework for MNPs. With its modular design, we are now able to organise and make sense of existing exposure and hazard data, with flexibility to grow with the science as it advances.
- The precautionary principle should be applied to MNPs, due to their widespread nature and uncertainties regarding their health impacts.
- Science communication has an important role in the early pioneering stages of microplastics and health research, as the health risk uncertainties run high.
Keep an eye on our website and social media channels in the next few months for the latest publications from POLYRISK.