Project: An innovative analytical platform to investigate the effect and toxicity of micro and nano plastics combined with environmental contaminants on the risk of allergic disease

2021-04-01 – 2025-03-31

Abstract

In recent years scientists have detected micro and nanoplastics (MNPs) all around the world, in urban atmospheres, as well as in remote and pristine environments. It has become clear that micro- and nanoplastics pollution is a global problem. People inhale MNPs through the air and ingest them through food and water, yet at this stage, it is unknown how many of them are out in the environment as there are no tools to measure and characterize them with precision, nor is it known what effects they have on human health. In Imptox, we aim to create a cross-disciplinary platform to design innovative analytical approaches to characterize and measure MNPs in the environment and understand their impact on health. As micro- and nanoplastics wear away, metals, allergens, pathogenic bacteria, and toxins latch onto them. Imptox scientists will evaluate the influence of ingested and inhaled MNPs polluted with those critical contaminants.