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.
