News
The WHO Europe Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health: highlighting the benefits of research into microplastics and health for policy action
Countries across Europe committed to take urgent action to stop millions of preventable deaths every year linked to climate change and pollution during the 7th Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, organised by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional...
New POLYRISK study examines the health impact of microplastics from artificial sports pitches
Every day, millions of people living in Europe play on indoor and outdoor artificial grass sports pitches that use rubber granules as infill materials. While this soft infill makes the pitches more durable, weather-proof and better to absorb shocks, rubber granules...
Microplastics, explained: radio interview with toxicologists Dr. Emma Kasteel and Annemijne van den Berg
We are exposed to microplastics on a daily basis. To shed light on ongoing research into the micro- and nanoplastic particles (MNPs) in our environment and how they might impact people’s health, toxicologists Annemijne van den Berg (POLYRISK project) and Dr. Emma...
Out now! Fourth edition of the CUSP newsletter
Read all about the latest updates, initiatives and achievements across the CUSP research cluster from the past six months. The fourth edition of the CUSP newsletter is now available, highlighting the progress made by the various working groups and projects. Alba...
CUSP and POLYRISK workshop on human health risk assessment frameworks for mico- and nanoplastics: a summary
Over 145 participants connected online for a special workshop to discuss human health risk assessment frameworks for micro- and nanoplastic particles (MNPs) with guest speakers, researchers and collaborators from the POLYRISK research project and CUSP. Assessing human...
Polyrisk flyer: How micro- and nanoplastics in the environment might impact our health and immune system
We are all exposed to micro- and nanoplastic particles (MNPs) on a daily basis. But while evidence of the existence of microplastics within our bodies exists, we currently do not know how they affect human health. The new Polyrisk flyer launched today illustrates how...
CUSP workshop on human health risk assessment frameworks for micro- and nanoplastics
Assessing human health effects of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) is challenging for several reasons. MNPs are complex mixtures. MNPs may have different geometries, shapes and sizes. They can be made from different polymer types and contain various additives and...
News from the Polyrisk research project (January 2023)
Welcome to the January 2023 news blast from the POLYRISK, an EU-funded research project that aims to better understand how micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) impact our health and immune system. The first study from POLYRISK, published December 2022, assesses the uptake...
Job opening: Scientific officer for the assessment of health effects of micro- und nanoplastics (f/m/x)
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has published a job opening: in the department Chemical and Product Safety of the BfR is in the unit “Fibre and Nanotoxicology” the following two year position is immediately available: Scientific officer for the assessment of health effects of micro- and nanoplastics (f/m/x).
FAO review raises awareness about MNP pollution and potential public health concerns
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations publishes a review on human exposure to micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) via dietary sources; finds that lack of sufficient data and standardized analytical methods preventing conclusive answers on potential health impacts.
Out now! Third edition of the CUSP newsletter
Read all about the latest updates, initiatives and achievements across the CUSP research cluster from the past six months.
POLYRISK 2022 General Assembly: Exploring the risks of micro- and nanoplastics through human exposure studies
Scientists, researchers and other project partners gathered at the recent POLYRISK General Assembly, held in Berlin from 1-3 November 2022, to continue exploring together the risks of micro- and nanoplastics through human exposure studies.
Utrecht University recruiting volunteers for research about health risks of microplastics exposure via air
The plastic production has been rising for years now. Plastic can break down into smaller particles, called microplastics, so small, they can be inhaled. Researchers don’t know yet what the health risks of exposure to microplastics are. The potential effects will hence be studied by performing health measurements before and after exposure at three locations with varying traffic loads in Utrecht.
CUSP releases its second newsletter
Second edition of the CUSP newsletter recaps all that has happened during the last six months; take a look to find out about upcoming events and exciting initiatives.
Discussing progress on micro- and nano-plastics research – POLYRISK General Assembly
Plastic particles are ubiquitous pollutants in the living environment and food chain but no study to date has reported on the internal exposure of plastic particles in human blood.
Now, researchers have published research in Environment International detecting and quantifying polymers from plastics in human blood for the first time.
Discovery and quantification of plastic particle pollution in human blood
Plastic particles are ubiquitous pollutants in the living environment and food chain but no study to date has reported on the internal exposure of plastic particles in human blood.
Now, researchers have published research in Environment International detecting and quantifying polymers from plastics in human blood for the first time.
POLYRISK researchers at upcoming Plastic Health Summit
21 October will see the Plastic Health Summit, organised by the Plastic Soup Foundation, in Amsterdam and online. Two POLYRISK researchers will be speaking in the first session, on exposure and toxic effects.
CUSP releases its first newsletter
It has been 6 months since the kick-off meeting launching our exciting project, and CUSP has now laid the ground for starting its research. The first issue of the CUSP newsletter has now been published.