Assessment of Human Health Risks Posed by Nano-and Microplastics Is Currently Not Feasible

Andreas Brachner, Despina Fragouli, Iola F. Duarte, Patricia M. A. Farias, Sofia Dembski, Manosij Ghosh, Ivan Barisic, Daniela Zdzieblo, Jeroen Vanoirbeek, Philipp Schwabl and Winfried Neuhaus
Additional contact information
Andreas Brachner: Competence Unit Molecular Diagnostics, Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, 1210 Vienna, Austria
Despina Fragouli: Smart Materials, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
Iola F. Duarte: CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Patricia M. A. Farias: PHORNANO Holding GmbH, 2100 Korneuburg, Austria
Sofia Dembski: Fraunhofer Translational Center Regenerative Therapies TLC-RT, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
Manosij Ghosh: Department of Public Health and Primary Care Centre for Environment and Health Herestraat 49 (O&N 706), KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
Ivan Barisic: Competence Unit Molecular Diagnostics, Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, 1210 Vienna, Austria
Daniela Zdzieblo: Fraunhofer Translational Center Regenerative Therapies TLC-RT, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
Jeroen Vanoirbeek: Department of Public Health and Primary Care Centre for Environment and Health Herestraat 49 (O&N 706), KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
Philipp Schwabl: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Winfried Neuhaus: Competence Unit Molecular Diagnostics, Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, 1210 Vienna, Austria

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-10

Abstract: The exposure of humans to nano-and microplastic particles (NMPs) is an issue recognized as a potential health hazard by scientists, authorities, politics, non-governmental organizations and the general public. The concentration of NMPs in the environment is increasing concomitantly with global plastic production and the usage of plastic materials. NMPs are detectable in numerous aquatic organisms and also in human samples, therefore necessitating a risk assessment of NMPs for human health. So far, a comprehensive risk assessment of NMPs is hampered by limited availability of appropriate reference materials, analytical obstacles and a lack of definitions and standardized study designs. Most studies conducted so far used polystyrene (PS) spheres as a matter of availability, although this polymer type accounts for only about 7% of total plastic production. Differently sized particles, different concentration and incubation times, and various biological models have been used, yielding hardly comparable data sets. Crucial physico-chemical properties of NMPs such as surface (charge, polarity, chemical reactivity), supplemented additives and adsorbed chemicals have been widely excluded from studies, although in particular the surface of NMPs determines the interaction with cellular membranes. In this manuscript we give an overview about the critical parameters which should be considered when performing risk assessments of NMPs, including novel reference materials, taking into account surface modifications (e.g., reflecting weathering processes), and the possible role of NMPs as a substrate and/or carrier for (pathogenic) microbes. Moreover, we make suggestions for biological model systems to evaluate immediate toxicity, long-term effects and the potential of NMPs to cross biological barriers. We are convinced that standardized reference materials and experimental parameters along with technical innovations in (nano)-particle sampling and analytics are a prerequisite for the successful realization of conclusive human health risk assessments of NMPs.

Keywords: nanoplastics; nanoparticles; microplastics; microparticles; human exposure; biological barriers; biofilm; microbe carrier; toxicity; neurotoxicity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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