The CUSP partners have just announced the launch of the latest policy brief on the health impacts of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs), titled "Micro- and Nanoplastics and Public Health: A Reasonable Concern," developed by the European Commission’s Research Cluster to Understand the Health Impacts of Micro- and Nanoplastics (CUSP).
Over the past three years, CUSP has been dedicated to advancing our understanding of the health implications associated with MNPs. The policy brief highlights key findings from CUSP's research efforts and underscores the importance of addressing this emerging public health concern.
Key Messages:
Health Concerns:
MNPs pose a significant public health concern, although the exact risks remain unclear. The hazards, exposures, and risks of individual types of plastics and their specific chemical additives need further investigation, especially regarding long-term effects.
Research Highlights:
CUSP researchers have documented potential carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and reproductive toxicity of MNPs, with nanoplastics exhibiting more pronounced effects than microplastics.
Exposure Routes:
MNPs can enter the human body through inhalation and ingestion, with small MNPs capable of translocating into the bloodstream.
Research Gaps:
Most studies conducted thus far are short-term, highlighting a significant gap in understanding the long-term effects of MNPs on human health. More research is needed to establish dose-responses and modes of action.
Future Directions:
It is crucial for future studies to explore representative MNPs of different chemical compositions and physico-chemical characteristics resembling those found in the environment.
Implications:
The findings from CUSP's research have far-reaching implications for European policies and legislation on chemicals, plastics, food, and water. Areas such as carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, respiratory toxicity, and fate and exposure assessment of MNPs can inform regulatory decision-making processes.
Addressing Knowledge Gaps:
The policy brief also highlights several knowledge gaps that require attention, including:
· the need for representative materials,
· transparency in information,
· improvements in in vitro testing methods,
· understanding body barriers,
· conducting long-term studies,
· establishing causal linkages,
· optimizing analytics,
· exploring vector effects,
· ensuring regulatory acceptance,
· assessing environmental fate and exposure, and
· identifying high-risk population groups.
All individuals interested in the fate and effects of plastics on human health should read the full policy brief for a comprehensive understanding of CUSP's research findings and their implications. Your engagement and collaboration in addressing this important public health issue are invaluable.
For all comments, please contact hello@cusp-research.eu