Article
?
AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button.
Tier 2
?
Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence.
Human Health Effects
Nanoplastics
Policy & Risk
Sign in to save
Impacts of micro- and nanoplastics on early-life health: a roadmap towards risk assessment
Microplastics and Nanoplastics2024
25 citations
?
Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Score: 65
?
0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Zimmermann, Lisa,
Hanna M. Dusza,
Bert M. Weckhuysen,
Barbara M. Scholz-Böttcher,
Zimmermann, Lisa,
Emily A. Christopher,
Barbara M. Scholz-Böttcher,
Zimmermann, Lisa,
Emily A. Christopher,
Hanna M. Dusza,
Hanna M. Dusza,
Zimmermann, Lisa,
Zimmermann, Lisa,
Zimmermann, Lisa,
Zimmermann, Lisa,
Jeske van Boxel,
Jeske van Boxel,
Nelly D. Saenen,
Nelly D. Saenen,
Nelly D. Saenen,
Nelly D. Saenen,
Juliette Legler,
Juliette Legler,
Jane Muncke,
Laurens D. B. Mandemaker,
Jane Muncke,
Jane Muncke,
Laurens D. B. Mandemaker,
Hanna M. Dusza,
Laurens D. B. Mandemaker,
Runyu Zou,
Runyu Zou,
Florian Meirer,
Florian Meirer,
Florian Meirer,
Jane Muncke,
Yvette Christopher-de Vries,
Yvette Christopher-de Vries,
Matthew Boyles,
Juliette Legler,
Tim S. Nawrot,
Nelly D. Saenen,
Jeske van Boxel,
Jeske van Boxel,
Zimmermann, Lisa,
Zimmermann, Lisa,
Runyu Zou,
Florian Meirer,
Jane Muncke,
Anitha Devadoss,
Anitha Devadoss,
Barbara M. Scholz-Böttcher,
Juliette Legler,
Juliette Legler,
Juliette Legler,
Hanna M. Dusza,
Florian Meirer,
Jane Muncke,
Juliette Legler,
Runyu Zou,
Bert M. Weckhuysen,
Laurens D. B. Mandemaker,
Matthew Boyles,
Matthew Boyles,
Laurens D. B. Mandemaker,
Juliette Legler,
Jane Muncke,
Juliette Legler,
Jane Muncke,
Bert M. Weckhuysen,
Bert M. Weckhuysen,
Jane Muncke,
Jane Muncke,
Jeske van Boxel,
Jeske van Boxel,
Jeske van Boxel,
Hanna M. Dusza,
Lang Tran,
Florian Meirer,
Bert M. Weckhuysen,
Laurens D. B. Mandemaker,
Jane Muncke,
Bert M. Weckhuysen,
Bert M. Weckhuysen,
Roel Vermeulen
Jane Muncke,
Juliette Legler,
Juliette Legler,
Juliette Legler,
Helena M. Copsey,
Helena M. Copsey,
Hanna M. Dusza,
Florian Meirer,
Roel Vermeulen
Juliette Legler,
Runyu Zou,
Tim S. Nawrot,
Florian Meirer,
Florian Meirer,
Jane Muncke,
Florian Meirer,
Runyu Zou,
Florian Meirer,
Hanna M. Dusza,
Juliette Legler,
Roel Vermeulen
Roel Vermeulen
Florian Meirer,
Hanna M. Dusza,
Hanna M. Dusza,
Roel Vermeulen
Florian Meirer,
Roel Vermeulen
Florian Meirer,
Tim S. Nawrot,
Jane Muncke,
Bert M. Weckhuysen,
Bert M. Weckhuysen,
Jane Muncke,
Tim S. Nawrot,
Karen S. Galea,
Roel Vermeulen
Nelly D. Saenen,
Karen S. Galea,
Runyu Zou,
Juliette Legler,
Juliette Legler,
Barbara M. Scholz-Böttcher,
Laurens D. B. Mandemaker,
Lang Tran,
Lang Tran,
Laurens D. B. Mandemaker,
Jane Muncke,
Florian Meirer,
Bert M. Weckhuysen,
Florian Meirer,
Jane Muncke,
Runyu Zou,
Jane Muncke,
Zimmermann, Lisa,
Tim S. Nawrot,
Tim S. Nawrot,
Karen S. Galea,
Roel Vermeulen
Runyu Zou,
Matthew Boyles,
Nelly D. Saenen,
Nelly D. Saenen,
Runyu Zou,
Jane Muncke,
Jane Muncke,
Zimmermann, Lisa,
Zimmermann, Lisa,
Roel Vermeulen
Roel Vermeulen
Jane Muncke,
Roel Vermeulen
Summary
Researchers proposed a detailed risk assessment roadmap specifically for how micro- and nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy and early childhood could harm fetal and infant development, noting that these tiny particles have already been detected in human placentas. The framework identifies critical gaps in dosing data, detection methods, and placental transfer research needed before reliable safety conclusions can be drawn.
Abstract Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants representing a concern for human health. MNPs have been detected in human placentas, indicating that during pregnancy maternal exposure may lead to placental transfer and foetal exposure, with potential for adverse effects on early-life development. However, a comprehensive risk assessment (RA) framework, specific to early-life is lacking. Here, we propose a novel roadmap to assist the development of an early-life health RA of MNPs. This roadmap is designed based on established chemical, mixture, particle, and MNP assessment strategies aligned with standard RA components (problem formulation, hazard identification, hazard characterisation, exposure assessment, risk characterisation). We systematically work through these stages to identify what is needed to progress a RA for the early-life impacts of MNPs, including what information is missing, and what may be used in the interim. While challenges such as complex physicochemical properties of MNPs, limited toxicity data at relevant exposure levels, and uncertainties related to characterising complex exposures have been described elsewhere, our work discusses how these challenges specifically impact early-life stages such as the significance of MNP presence in biological samples and factors influencing bioaccumulation and placental transfer. Additionally, we introduce the development of new technology readiness levels for methods used in the detection of MNPs in complex matrices. Importantly, this review integrates a broad scope of relevant information into one comprehensive document, providing a unified resource. We highlight specific requirements and areas for targeted research, including the development of dose-response relationships specific to early-life stages and novel strategies for assessing bioaccumulation and placental transfer of MNPs. By addressing these gaps, our roadmap aims to advance the development of a robust framework, ultimately enhancing the understanding and mitigation of risks associated with early-life exposure to MNPs.