Periodic Reporting for period 3 - Imptox (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 IN PRECLINICAL AND CLINICAL)
Berichtszeitraum: 2024-04-01 bis 2025-07-31
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are now widely present in water, air, food, and living organisms. They occur in many shapes, sizes, and chemical forms, making them difficult to detect and measure reliably. As a result, solid and comparable data on human exposure and health risks remain limited. Beyond their physical presence, MNPs can carry other harmful substances on their surfaces, such as allergens, microorganisms, metals, and toxins, and can host microbial communities in aquatic environments.
Recent findings of micro- and nanoplastics in human blood, breast milk, and animal tissues have intensified public concern and highlighted the urgent need for robust scientific evidence to support health risk assessment. Allergic diseases, including asthma and food allergies, affect a growing proportion of the population—particularly children—and impose substantial societal and healthcare costs. Understanding whether, and under which conditions, MNP exposure may influence allergic disease is therefore of high relevance for public health, food safety, and environmental policy.
IMPTOX addressed this challenge by investigating the two most relevant exposure routes for humans—ingestion and inhalation—and by examining how interactions between MNPs and co-occurring contaminants may influence biological effects. The project combined analytical innovation with experimental, animal, and human studies to generate evidence that is both mechanistically informative and relevant for real-life exposure scenarios.
The overall objectives of IMPTOX were to:
identify and characterise micro- and nanoplastics across realistic exposure settings, including food preparation, seafood, and air–water spray aerosols;
advance analytical methods for sensitive and reliable detection of MNPs and their associated contaminants;
determine how contaminants such as allergens, microorganisms, metals, and toxins interact with MNP surfaces;
assess biological effects of MNPs, alone and in combination with contaminants, using cell-based, animal, and human-relevant models;
evaluate exposure patterns in children living in urban and coastal environments and explore links with allergic disease;
improve societal awareness of potential health impacts of MNPs; and
strengthen a transdisciplinary network capable of delivering policy-relevant scientific evidence and effective communication.
In conclusion, IMPTOX demonstrates that micro- and nanoplastics can interact with biological systems in ways that are relevant for allergic disease, particularly when acting as carriers for other contaminants. The project provides the tools and evidence needed to support proportionate monitoring, exposure assessment, and informed decision-making.
Recent findings of micro- and nanoplastics in human blood, breast milk, and animal tissues have intensified public concern and highlighted the urgent need for robust scientific evidence to support health risk assessment. Allergic diseases, including asthma and food allergies, affect a growing proportion of the population—particularly children—and impose substantial societal and healthcare costs. Understanding whether, and under which conditions, MNP exposure may influence allergic disease is therefore of high relevance for public health, food safety, and environmental policy.
IMPTOX addressed this challenge by investigating the two most relevant exposure routes for humans—ingestion and inhalation—and by examining how interactions between MNPs and co-occurring contaminants may influence biological effects. The project combined analytical innovation with experimental, animal, and human studies to generate evidence that is both mechanistically informative and relevant for real-life exposure scenarios.
The overall objectives of IMPTOX were to:
identify and characterise micro- and nanoplastics across realistic exposure settings, including food preparation, seafood, and air–water spray aerosols;
advance analytical methods for sensitive and reliable detection of MNPs and their associated contaminants;
determine how contaminants such as allergens, microorganisms, metals, and toxins interact with MNP surfaces;
assess biological effects of MNPs, alone and in combination with contaminants, using cell-based, animal, and human-relevant models;
evaluate exposure patterns in children living in urban and coastal environments and explore links with allergic disease;
improve societal awareness of potential health impacts of MNPs; and
strengthen a transdisciplinary network capable of delivering policy-relevant scientific evidence and effective communication.
In conclusion, IMPTOX demonstrates that micro- and nanoplastics can interact with biological systems in ways that are relevant for allergic disease, particularly when acting as carriers for other contaminants. The project provides the tools and evidence needed to support proportionate monitoring, exposure assessment, and informed decision-making.
IMPTOX developed and validated a coherent set of analytical tools and experimental approaches that enable reproducible investigation of micro- and nanoplastics across different exposure scenarios. This includes well-characterised model particles of polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate, labelled tracer materials, and harmonised standard operating procedures that can be reused beyond the project. Using these tools, the project showed that micro- and nanoplastics can bind and transport a range of biologically relevant contaminants through the formation of selective surface layers. These interactions can modify digestion processes, influence enzyme activity, and affect immune responses in a context-dependent manner, depending on particle type, size, and route of exposure. Experimental studies demonstrated that, under specific conditions, MNPs can modify immune and allergic responses rather than acting as inert particles. The project also generated human-relevant evidence by analysing exposure patterns in children and linking environmental, dietary, and clinical data. These results provide a solid evidence base for future risk assessment and monitoring of MNP exposure. Scientific findings were disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conferences, and open data practices. Public outreach included educational tools such as the “Microplastic Madness” video game and teaching materials used in school workshops and shared via European education platforms. IMPTOX also organised public dissemination events, stakeholder dialogues, and contributed actively to joint communication and policy activities within the CUSP research cluster.
The project’s impacts are scientific, societal, and policy-relevant. IMPTOX improves understanding of human exposure to micro- and nanoplastics via ingestion and inhalation and provides evidence on how such exposure may contribute to allergic disease. The results support the development of proportionate monitoring strategies and inform national and European policies aimed at reducing environmental plastic pollution.
Given the high societal burden of allergic diseases, IMPTOX delivers practical tools and knowledge to evaluate whether, and under which conditions, micro- and nanoplastics can amplify health risks through co-exposure. For regulators and researchers, the project leaves a robust and reusable toolkit that supports harmonised measurement, improved risk assessment, and evidence-based communication with citizens and stakeholders.
Given the high societal burden of allergic diseases, IMPTOX delivers practical tools and knowledge to evaluate whether, and under which conditions, micro- and nanoplastics can amplify health risks through co-exposure. For regulators and researchers, the project leaves a robust and reusable toolkit that supports harmonised measurement, improved risk assessment, and evidence-based communication with citizens and stakeholders.