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Human exposure related to nano or microplastics during recycling process
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The PROTEGE-MIPLAS project investigated occupational exposure to micro- and nanoplastics aerosolized during plastic waste processing and recycling, addressing a significant knowledge gap given that global microplastic losses across the plastics value chain are estimated at 3 million tonnes per year. Researchers characterized particle emissions to assess worker inhalation risks during recycling operations.
The aim of the PROTEGE-MIPLAS project is to provide new knowledge about the emission of micro and/or nanoplastics that may be aerosolised during the processing and regeneration of plastic waste. Global losses in the form of microplastics (plastics less than 5mm in length) across the plastics value chain are considerable and can be estimated at 3 million tonnes per year. Although the primary production of plastics generates very few microplastics, very little data is available on their production for integrated plastic waste processing sites and regeneration in the form of recycled plastic granules or finished products. Various unitary operations are capable of creating indoor air pollution in plastic waste processing facilities, but can also lead to external pollution, depending on the configuration of the industrial premises. The PROTEGE-MIPLAS project, which is being carried out jointly by IMT Mines Alès (Materials Centre) and Mines St Etienne (Engineering and Health Centre), in partnership with Polyvia and with the support of the Laboratoire National de Métrologie et d'Essais (LNE), involves manufacturers from the recycling sector and is structured in several phases. Initially, the aim is to identify the process stages at these companies' integrated sites that are likely to generate aerosolisable microplastics, depending on the nature of the incoming waste and the types of process under consideration (packaging, end-of-life vehicle parts, WEEE, etc.). Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/558871/document
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