Keeping up the momentum for research into microplastics and health

Dick: This is what makes the whole project so powerful. As well as medical researchers, we have involved various disciplines from both the public and private sector, such as researchers in the fields of environmental studies and plastics, and the plastic industry itself.

Dick: In 2016, we thought that plastic debris could be a human health issue. As a result of our research at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, we published an article in the Journal Environmental Science and Technology entitled “Plastic debris is a human health issue”. It became clear that microplastics are in the human food chain and airborne. We began lobbying for funding and ZonMw started the research programme Microplastic & Health. In 2019, ZonMW invested over 1.5 million euros in 15 short-term breakthrough projects. These were the first projects of their kind in the world to research the possible health effects of microplastics and health. They resulted in public, private and academic sectors becoming more aware of the urgency of this field of research.

Investment in this type of research should not stop after just a few years, we need long-term research over a 10 to 15-year period. The results of the breakthrough projects led to us being asked to bring together the best researchers and public and private partners in the various fields and establish international cooperation. So, we set up the national Momentum consortium.

Juliette: Momentum consists of 12 Dutch research institutes and 15 international companies ranging from small businesses to multinationals in North America and Europe. The participating research organisations and the private partners also invest their own budget in the project. It is a condition of Health Holland that 15 percent of the investment should come from industry. Having industry on board helps us research the most relevant plastics being produced. By having private partners involved we can get answers to the most important questions and we have people who are directly involved in plastics manufacturing engaged in the project.

Juliette: The main objective is to identify the potential human health risks of exposure to microplastics. There is a lack of information on the relationship between microplastics and health. We need to fill the knowledge gaps so that we can improve the way we evaluate the possible threat to human health.

Secondly, we want to provide solutions to prevent health issues arising.

We are building on 3 main conclusions from the 15 breakthrough projects:

• We need to improve the detection of microplastics in human beings
• Micro and nanoplastics (MNP) have an effect on the immune system
• MNPs may play a role in the transport of pathogens into the body

Dick: TNO, the Netherlands organisation for applied scientific research is looking into the fragmentation of plastics. Which plastics are more likely to break down into microplastics and nanoplastics.

Dick: At present, we do not know where the plastic goes in our body. How much is excreted. How much accumulates in liver, brain and other organs. What the effect is on tissues and cells.

The more exposure a person gets to microplastics, the more likely it will accumulate in the body. So, an older person has probably more plastics in their body than a younger person. Relatively high concentrations of microplastics are released in the home. Microplastics come from the weathering and breakdown of our synthetic furnishings, carpets, paint on the wall, etc. They become airborne and eventually deposit as dust particles on surfaces. Microplastics are everywhere and we are exposed continuously. It is all about how much exposure we get.

Dick: As I already mentioned, detecting and quantifying plastic in the human body is quite complex. When we improve these methods, we can study larger cohorts of people routinely. The VU method measured the trace concentration of plastic in the blood of 22 donors. It was a destructive analysis which means that it results in the loss of the plastic particles. It did not reveal anything about the size and the shape of these particles. To do so, complementary methods are needed, and this is what we will try to achieve in Momentum.

Juliette: Within 3 years, we hope to be able to develop a framework to determine the risks microplastics pose. We do this together with the National Institute of Public Health and Environment (RIVM), who are responsible for risk assessment of chemicals and contaminants.

Dick: We also want to develop and use biomarkers to establish the relationship between microplastic exposure and disease. For example, there are signs that microplastics may influence the development of chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

Dick: Ultimately, the idea is to provide solution routes. For example, innovations for the medical sector, such as tools and techniques to measure and visualise plastic particles in the blood and other organs. When we know which plastics are the most dangerous we can propose to ban those plastics and replace them with circular safe materials. By joining hands with industry, we can provide a roadmap to safer plastics. We call that Safe-by-Design.

Dick: Raising awareness is crucial. Young people in particular need to reconnect with the natural world. You cannot protect the environment if you do not respect it and have no affinity for it. Only a small group are engaged with environmental issues. Education needs to address this problem. Not just the young people, we all need to realise how important the environment and its services are to human health.

Juliette: This project needs to be followed up. In 10 years’ time, we want to have the tools to carry out a proper assessment of the risks posed by plastics. We need to raise awareness about the effect of microplastics on health.