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Capillary electrophoresis as a main pillar for the characterisation of nanoplastics released from single-use and reusable plastic drinking bottles

Project description

Exploring how harmful tiny particles are in bottled drinking water

Harmful particles such as nanoplastics can be found in bottled drinking water. More knowledge is therefore needed regarding the risks of nanoplastics to human health. This can be achieved with new methodologies that characterise nanoplastics released into water from commercial bottles. The EU-funded CE4Plastics project aims to advance methods to identify and quantify nanoplastics released into drinking water from single-use and reusable plastic bottles. To characterise nanoplastic particles, it will examine the feasibility of capillary electrophoresis, a method that separates molecules in an electric field according to size and charge. The project will also raise the public’s awareness of the risks posed by nanoplastics.

Objective

The advent of plastics to society has entailed a global dependence on this material. Special attention should be paid to nanoplastics, which are present in bottled drinking water due to weathering during usage. From a scientific point of view, it is important to get an insight into the risks that nanoplastics may bring to human health. Analytical Chemistry is called to provide a response to this actual problem with new methodologies to characterise nanoplastics that are released to water from commercial bottles. The main goal of CE4Plastics project is to advance the-state-of-the-art methods for identification and quantification of nanoplastics released to drinking water from single-use and reusable plastic bottles in the short and long-term and raise awareness in the population about nanoplastic risks. The feasibility of capillary electrophoresis to characterise nanoplastic particles will be investigated. Next, bottle weathering during normal usage and its implications in nanoplastic release to bottled water will be assessed. The project will be carried out at Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), in Belgium, with an European researcher resuming his path in research and innovation. CE4Plastics will give him an excellent opportunity to be engaged in a wide range of transferable and scientific skills and to lead a necessary breakthrough to promote nanoplastic separation, quantification and position himself as a leading researcher in the future.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01

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Coordinator

VLAAMSE INSTELLING VOOR TECHNOLOGISCH ONDERZOEK N.V.
Net EU contribution
€ 175 920,00
Address
BOERETANG 200
2400 Mol
Belgium
Region
Vlaams Gewest Prov. Antwerpen Arr. Turnhout
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost
No data