The scale of micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) pollution is becoming increasingly clear yet little is known about how this pollution impacts health. We are developing an actionable European roadmap for early-life health risk assessment of MNPs.
CUSP cluster holds scientific conference and stakeholder meeting as projects come to an end; all five EU projects within the cluster share research results; scientists discuss future research needs on human health and micro- and nanoplastics; stakeholders share perspectives and policy questions
Scientists detect more micro- and nanoplastics (MNP) in the human brain than in liver and kidney, higher levels in brains of dementia patients; find MNPs obstruct blood vessels, lead to neurobehavioral abnormalities; MNPs in women’s follicular fluid associated with lower fertilization rates; maternal MNP exposure impairs fertility of female mice offspring; “bioplastic” MNPs induce male reproductive toxicity in mice
South Korean study assesses link between microplastics in blood and plastic container use as well as blood coagulation disruptions; finds mostly polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene microplastics in blood; links higher microplastic levels to use of plastic containers, impaired blood clotting and increased inflammation, suggesting potential cardiovascular risks
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under AURORA grant agreement No 964827.