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Start research into health risks of microplastics

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ZonMw has given the starting shot for 15 unique research projects into the effects of micro-and nanoplastics on our health. This is the first scientific programme in the world about the subject. A total of 1.6 million euros is being invested in the studies.

Professor Dick Vethaak van Deltares, involved in 4 of the 15 research projects, explains: ‘Microplastics easily spread via water and wind which results in a worldwide problem; they are found everywhere and are present like a kind of grey mist in our environment.
We are continuously exposed to small plastic particles via our food, drink or the air we breathe  However, the significance of this for our health cannot be properly estimated yet. There are strong indications of possible health risks, but many uncertainties and knowledge gaps also exist.’

Vethaak continues: ‘I’m therefore very pleased with this initiative from ZonMw and the involvement of the Plastic Soup Foundation. It concerns an initial exploratory study in which experts from various disciplines and sectors will collaborate. In particular, the collaboration between environmental scientists and medical specialists is both unique and robust. With this, the Netherlands is playing an internationally leading role. I therefore expect a lot from the research!’

The projects, with a duration of one year, consider important questions such as:

  • How can microplastics penetrate our body?
  • Which role do the size, shape and composition of the particles play in this?
  • Could plastic debris form a source of diseases and infections in view of the fact that certain bacteria seem to thrive on plastic?
  • Can our immune system deal with plastic, or will we run a higher chance of inflammations and infections because of plastic?
  • How deep do microplastics penetrate into our body? Do they harm the human brain? And are they harmful to the unborn child?

Dr Heather Leslie from VU Amsterdam, involved in three of the projects, says: ‘If plastic particles can lead to chronic inflammations, then that could be the prelude to a whole series of chronic diseases. We therefore need to urgently investigate how many plastic particles from our consumer society penetrate the human body.’

The first interim results will be presented on 3 October during a Plastic & Health congress in Amsterdam.

Just the beginning

ZonMw emphasises that the awarding of these 15 projects is only the beginning. A year is not long enough to obtain all of the answers. Henk Smid, director of ZonMw, sees huge potential in the studies and therefore hopes that long-term follow-up research will be possible. ‘The Netherlands has a leading international position in scientific research into microplastics, and this must be expanded as quickly as possible.’

Plastic Health Coalition

Communication about the different pilot projects and the (interim) results will be organised by the Plastic Health Coalition, an initiative of the Plastic Soup Foundation. In this coalition, various national and international environmental and research organisations work together that are all concerned about, or conduct research into, the effects of (micro) plastic on our health.

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