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Stakeholder-centric perspectives on micro- and nanoplastic analysis: needs, gaps, and analytical capabilities
Summary
Scientists still lack standardized, reliable ways to measure the tiny plastic particles (microplastics and even smaller nanoplastics) showing up in our environment, food, and bodies, making it hard to know exactly how much we're exposed to or what health risks they pose. This paper brings together experts from government, industry, and academia to call for better, more consistent testing methods and shared databases, which is a necessary first step before researchers can accurately assess how these particles affect human health.
Micro- and nanoplastics are increasingly recognized as ubiquitous environmental contaminants with potential implications for ecological and human health. However, many knowledge gaps remain that inhibit comprehensive analyses of the existing data, and, typically, test materials used differ greatly in morphology, surface chemistry and composition from those occurring in the environment. Herein, a comprehensive, stakeholder-oriented evaluation of current analytical capabilities, data needs, and methodological limitations in the quantification of these materials is presented, drawing on the perspectives and needs of regulatory and monitoring authorities, industry, commercial laboratories, academic researchers, and public health organizations, among others. We advocate for a multi-methodological framework tailored to matrix complexity and stakeholder objectives. Recommendations include prioritizing method harmonization, investing in high-throughput, cost-effective technologies, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to address persistent knowledge gaps. The development of open-access databases and standardized metadata reporting is emphasized as essential for enhancing data comparability and utility across sectors.