Evidence of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in the human body is steadily increasing, and so are concerns about their potential health impacts. However, most human monitoring remain limited by low patient numbers and inadequate assessment of MNP exposure, making reliable risk evaluation difficult.
A major challenge lies in the lack of highly sensitive analytical methods capable of quantifying the mass concentration of plastic polymers in human matrices. In 2022, the researchers at the CEH section were the first in the world to demonstrate the presence of MNPs in human blood. Since then, significant progress has been made in refining this method, resulting in more accurate and robust quantification. Moreover, comprehensive exposure assessment now considers not only particle size and amount but also the chemical complexity of MNPs. These particles are increasingly recognized as complex mixtures of polymers, monomers, reaction intermediates, and chemical additives, rather than inert materials alone. Accounting for this complexity provides a deeper understanding of overall exposure and enables more meaningful hazard.