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Project

Assessment of micro/nano-plastic exposure in occupational and environmental settings

Increasingly higher contamination rates of plastics in the environment are observed. In particular, plastic degradation products, i.e. micro- and nano-plastics (M/NPs), are of high concern. Plastic products consist of different monomers and chemical additives and M/NPs present in the environment differ extensively in terms of morphology and chemical and physical properties. M/NPs in the environment typically originate from synthetic clothing fibres, erosion of car tyres, paints used for road markings and natural decomposition of plastic waste and waste incineration. M/NPs are also detected in personal care products, such as shower gels, hand sanitizers and toothpastes. According to the WHO, a lot of data is available on the presence of M/NPs in aquatic ecosystems. Exposure for humans is expected to occur mainly via the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. Recently, exposure estimates indicate that humans annually consume between 39 and 52 thousand microplastic particles. The estimated exposure range increases with around 50% if inhalation exposure is considered as well. This research project aims to develop a strategy for collecting and metrologically characterizing airborne M/NPs to identify the quantities, sizes/shapes and the compositions of M/NPs. In addition, an exposure assessment protocol for inhalation exposure will be developed, validated and applied. As a result, this project will mainly derive new methodologies to accurately determine people’s exposure to airborne M/NPs.While not all sampling sites have been determined, we will include the city of Leuven. This is in line with the goal of a sustainable Leuven by 2030. The sites for sampling can be the campus buildings of KU Leuven and highways in and out of Leuven and the centre. Since a major source of urban microplastic concentration is from the erosion of car tyres and roads this information will be important. We will conduct sampling in the presence and absence of heavy traffic. We would also like to include shops/supermarkets that use a lot of plastic as part of their packaging material. Further details of the sampling strategy, such as elevation from the ground, distance from the streets and meteorological information, can only be confirmed after an extensive review of existing strategies, and will be considered during the sampling.The proposed project supports the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy. Our application also contributes to the goal laid down in the EU roadmap for a more sustainable environment. Our research will contribute towards an improved exposure-assessment strategy, thereby directly contributing towards reducing the exposure to microplastics. This is in line with the sustainable and climate-neutral roadmap at the national level (Leuven 2030's Roadmap; letter of support provided) and at the European level (European Green Deal; building on the 2018 Plastics strategy).
Date:19 Jul 2021 →  1 Sep 2021
Keywords:Airborne micro/nano-plastics, Exposure assessment
Disciplines:Environmental health and safety, Occupational health and safety
Project type:PhD project