Towards a risk assessment framework for micro- and nanoplastic particles for human health
Abstract Background Human exposure to micro- and nanoplastic particles (MNPs) is inevitable but human health risk assessment remains challenging for several reasons. MNPs are complex mixtures of particles derived from different polymer types, which may contain plenty of additives and/or contaminants...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Particle and Fibre Toxicology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12989-024-00602-9 |
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| author | Amelie Vogel Jutta Tentschert Raymond Pieters Francesca Bennet Hubert Dirven Annemijne van den Berg Esther Lenssen Maartje Rietdijk Dirk Broßell Andrea Haase |
| author_facet | Amelie Vogel Jutta Tentschert Raymond Pieters Francesca Bennet Hubert Dirven Annemijne van den Berg Esther Lenssen Maartje Rietdijk Dirk Broßell Andrea Haase |
| author_sort | Amelie Vogel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Human exposure to micro- and nanoplastic particles (MNPs) is inevitable but human health risk assessment remains challenging for several reasons. MNPs are complex mixtures of particles derived from different polymer types, which may contain plenty of additives and/or contaminants. MNPs cover broad size distributions and often have irregular shapes and morphologies. Moreover, several of their properties change over time due to aging/ weathering. Case-by-case assessment of each MNP type does not seem feasible, more straightforward methodologies are needed. However, conceptual approaches for human health risk assessment are rare, reliable methods for exposure and hazard assessment are largely missing, and meaningful data is scarce. Methods Here we reviewed the state-of-the-art concerning risk assessment of chemicals with a specific focus on polymers as well as on (nano-)particles and fibres. For this purpose, we broadly screened relevant knowledge including guidance documents, standards, scientific publications, publicly available reports. We identified several suitable concepts such as: (i) polymers of low concern (PLC), (ii) poorly soluble low toxicity particles (PSLT) and (iii) fibre pathogenicity paradigm (FPP). We also aimed to identify promising methods, which may serve as a reasonable starting point for a test strategy. Results and conclusion Here, we propose a state-of-the-art modular risk assessment framework for MNPs, focusing primarily on inhalation as a key exposure route for humans that combines several integrated approaches to testing and assessment (IATAs). The framework starts with basic physicochemical characterisation (step 1), followed by assessing the potential for inhalative exposure (step 2) and includes several modules for toxicological assessment (step 3). We provide guidance on how to apply the framework and suggest suitable methods for characterization of physicochemical properties, exposure and hazard assessment. We put special emphasis on new approach methodologies (NAMs) and included grouping, where adequate. The framework has been improved in several iterative cycles by taking into account expert feedback and is currently being tested in several case studies. Overall, it can be regarded as an important step forward to tackle human health risk assessment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-aa399c8f74e64969b6e61e0d8ee75667 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1743-8977 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Particle and Fibre Toxicology |
| spelling | doaj-art-aa399c8f74e64969b6e61e0d8ee756672025-08-20T02:08:23ZengBMCParticle and Fibre Toxicology1743-89772024-11-0121112110.1186/s12989-024-00602-9Towards a risk assessment framework for micro- and nanoplastic particles for human healthAmelie Vogel0Jutta Tentschert1Raymond Pieters2Francesca Bennet3Hubert Dirven4Annemijne van den Berg5Esther Lenssen6Maartje Rietdijk7Dirk Broßell8Andrea Haase9Department of Chemical and Product Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR)Department of Chemical and Product Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR)Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht UniversityDepartment of Chemical and Product Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR)Department of Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NPIH)Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht UniversityInstitute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht UniversityAmsterdam UMCFederal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA)Department of Chemical and Product Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR)Abstract Background Human exposure to micro- and nanoplastic particles (MNPs) is inevitable but human health risk assessment remains challenging for several reasons. MNPs are complex mixtures of particles derived from different polymer types, which may contain plenty of additives and/or contaminants. MNPs cover broad size distributions and often have irregular shapes and morphologies. Moreover, several of their properties change over time due to aging/ weathering. Case-by-case assessment of each MNP type does not seem feasible, more straightforward methodologies are needed. However, conceptual approaches for human health risk assessment are rare, reliable methods for exposure and hazard assessment are largely missing, and meaningful data is scarce. Methods Here we reviewed the state-of-the-art concerning risk assessment of chemicals with a specific focus on polymers as well as on (nano-)particles and fibres. For this purpose, we broadly screened relevant knowledge including guidance documents, standards, scientific publications, publicly available reports. We identified several suitable concepts such as: (i) polymers of low concern (PLC), (ii) poorly soluble low toxicity particles (PSLT) and (iii) fibre pathogenicity paradigm (FPP). We also aimed to identify promising methods, which may serve as a reasonable starting point for a test strategy. Results and conclusion Here, we propose a state-of-the-art modular risk assessment framework for MNPs, focusing primarily on inhalation as a key exposure route for humans that combines several integrated approaches to testing and assessment (IATAs). The framework starts with basic physicochemical characterisation (step 1), followed by assessing the potential for inhalative exposure (step 2) and includes several modules for toxicological assessment (step 3). We provide guidance on how to apply the framework and suggest suitable methods for characterization of physicochemical properties, exposure and hazard assessment. We put special emphasis on new approach methodologies (NAMs) and included grouping, where adequate. The framework has been improved in several iterative cycles by taking into account expert feedback and is currently being tested in several case studies. Overall, it can be regarded as an important step forward to tackle human health risk assessment.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12989-024-00602-9MicroplasticsNanoplasticsHuman healthRisk assessmentIntegrated approaches to testing and assessment (IATAs)Polymers of low concern (PLC) |
| spellingShingle | Amelie Vogel Jutta Tentschert Raymond Pieters Francesca Bennet Hubert Dirven Annemijne van den Berg Esther Lenssen Maartje Rietdijk Dirk Broßell Andrea Haase Towards a risk assessment framework for micro- and nanoplastic particles for human health Particle and Fibre Toxicology Microplastics Nanoplastics Human health Risk assessment Integrated approaches to testing and assessment (IATAs) Polymers of low concern (PLC) |
| title | Towards a risk assessment framework for micro- and nanoplastic particles for human health |
| title_full | Towards a risk assessment framework for micro- and nanoplastic particles for human health |
| title_fullStr | Towards a risk assessment framework for micro- and nanoplastic particles for human health |
| title_full_unstemmed | Towards a risk assessment framework for micro- and nanoplastic particles for human health |
| title_short | Towards a risk assessment framework for micro- and nanoplastic particles for human health |
| title_sort | towards a risk assessment framework for micro and nanoplastic particles for human health |
| topic | Microplastics Nanoplastics Human health Risk assessment Integrated approaches to testing and assessment (IATAs) Polymers of low concern (PLC) |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12989-024-00602-9 |
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