European Commission (EC) publishes draft proposal to restrict intentionally-added synthetic polymer microparticles < 5 mm; could ban use of microplastics in cosmetics, cleaning products, pesticides, and sport fields; environmental groups warn of shortcomings
Author archives: Lisa Zimmermann
Microplastics in bottled and outdoor drinking water
Researchers analyzed microplastics presence in drinking waters; report 7 out of 9 best-selling bottled mineral waters in France contain microplastics; find widespread microplastics contamination of free drinking water refill kiosks across Mexico City
Microplastics found in human breastmilk and mice fetal thalamus
Two studies assess fetal and infant exposure to plastic particles and impacts on mouse fetuses; detect microplastics in 26 out of 34 human breastmilk samples; report polystyrene particles negatively impact mouse fetuses
What knowledge is missing to derive a microplastic threshold?
Microplastic experts review mammalian in vivo effect studies and develop non-regulatory health-based screening level value for microplastics in drinking water; scientists provide research recommendations to better understand microplastic toxicity, effect levels, and potential health risks to humans and aquatic ecosystems; review discusses nanoplastics’ role in food allergy
Scientists evaluate inhaled microplastics
Report microplastics occur in lower airways of European citizens with the majority being fibers; evaluate microplastics indoor and outdoor exposure sources; work out established particle domains and paradigms can help predict toxicity of inhaled microplastic particles
Release of microplastic chemicals may pose human health risk
Researchers evaluate whether bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalate esters present in microplastics become bioaccessible under simulated physiologically relevant digestion conditions and calculate potential human health risks; conclude that uptake of primary microplastics might pose severe health risks because of the leachability of some endocrine-disrupting additives
Project partners meet and reflect on AURORA’s first year
AURORA’s project partners come together for the first in-person annual consortium meeting; review first year of project progress, discuss challenges, collaborations, and agree on next steps
Microplastic impacts on child health: knowns and unknowns
Scientific commentary discusses pregnancy- and child-relevant exposure to and impacts of nano- and microplastics: finds 37 studies mostly on plastic particles in food and placental transfer, identifies major knowledge gaps, and advocates policymakers and industry to implement precautionary approaches
Second study finds microplastics in human placenta
Clinical study investigates 10 microplastic types in human placenta and meconium; detects polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyurethane in the samples; highlights that evaluation and control of potential contamination is crucial
