More and more scientific studies are showing that micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are increasingly ubiquitous throughout the natural environment and in our bodies. They have been detected almost everywhere scientists have looked from snow in the arctic to the deep oceans of the Pacific. Testing has also found them in our blood, lungs, and most recently, in the placenta, an organ that is crucial for maternal and fetal health during pregnancy. However, there is still very little data on the effects these MNPs might have on health, especially during pregnancy – a fragile period of development with increased susceptibility to environmental pollutants. Research within the AURORA project therefore focuses specifically on better understanding the potential impacts of MNPs on early-life health and making these findings actionable for policymakers.
In a scientific article published in July 2024 in the peer-reviewed journal Microplastics and Nanoplastics, AURORA scientists lay out a roadmap for effectively risk assessing MNPs for early-life health. The study was led by Emily Christoper from the Institute for Occupational Medicine in Edinburgh.
For this, the authors build upon established risk assessment components including hazard identification, hazard characterization, exposure assessment, and risk characterization. The study also introduces new technology readiness levels for methods used in the detection of MNPs in complex matrices.
Christopher et al. identify key data gaps centered around physicochemical properties of MNP particles, confidence in current methods of MNP detection, biomarkers of exposure, dose-responses, scientific uncertainty related to non-animal testing approaches, significance of presence in biological samples, and factors influencing bioaccumulation and placental transfer. This review highlights “requirements and areas for targeted research to facilitate and advance the development of a robust early-life MNP risk assessment framework,” the authors write.
The research was carried out within the AURORA work package on risk assessment and involved collaboration across eleven European research institutes. All of AURORA’s published research is available on our results page, and an interview with Emily Christopher introducing the new article is also available.
Reference
Emily A. Christopher et al. (July 2, 2024) “Impacts of micro- and nanoplastics on early-life health: A roadmap towards risk assessment.” Microplastics and Nanoplastics.
