The exponential increase in the production/use of plastic translates into a parallel increase of environmental plastic-waste that is continuously degraded into micro and nanoplastics (MNPLs). Information on the MNPLs effects on human health is still preliminary and, furthermore, the limitations in current methodologies prevent accurate human exposure/risk assessment.

In this context, PLASTICHEAL aims at providing new methodologies and solid scientific evidence to regulators by combining the use of breakthrough research and validated test methods to set the knowledge basis for adequate risk assessment of MNPLs.

PLASTICHEAL will be supported by an innovative experimental approach that will first generate human exposure estimates after identification, measurement, and characterization of MNPLs present in the environmental air, water and food sources, as well as in human biological samples of population groups with potential high MNPLs exposure levels (biomonitoring study) by means of adapting the existing analytical methodology proven useful for fibres and nanomaterials. Those estimates will then be complemented/ correlated with the output of kinetic models using data on MNPLs translocation, accumulation and destabilization of the Gastrointestinal and Respiratory Tracts, and with the MNPLs toxicokinetic in blood and secondary organs using in vivo models. Thereafter, immune effects, transforming effects, genotoxic effects, impact on transcriptome /epigenome/ secretome (i.e. omics), stemness imbalance and potential molecular mechanisms of action and adverse outcome pathways in blood, primary and secondary organs will be studied under in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo short and long-term (co) exposure settings.

To ensure the impact of PLASTICHEAL’s developed methodology and gained knowledge on current and future regulation, a continuous dialogue will be established from the beginning of the project with policy makers and other key stakeholders of the plastic value chain.

Lugar de desarollo:

Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitarias (IMIB)

Acciones en las que participa el Sistema Regional de Salud (FFIS-IMIB):

• Characterize biomarkers of early biological effects that allow associating the exposure to MNPLs with their potential impact on human health.
• Collect biological samples of individuals with different degrees of exposure to MNPLs.
• Study the impact of MNPLs on immune cells: oxidative stress, cell death, cell cycle, and maturation/differentiation.
• Assess the impact of MNPLs on transcriptome, secretome, inflammatory signalling and inflammasome activation.
• Investigate the effect of MNPLs in immune system function in vivo and at high risk human populations.
• Comprehensive analysis and standardization of data relevant for risk evaluation.

Reflexiones del grupo de investigación / innovación regional:

We understand that the most relevant route for evaluating incidental MNPLs effects is the process from hazard identification to risk assessment, followed by risk management (including mitigation, and avoidance), where the ultimate goal is to contribute to reduce and maintain environmental levels of incidental MNPLs below the threshold above which MNPLs exposure trigger hazardous consequences for human health.

From this risk assessment perspective, the preferred data is obtained from validated/standardized protocols and methodologies, as solely those are accepted for regulatory purposes. Thus, this project identifies that the current MNPLs data-poor scenario needs from the application of those highly valuable methodologies in terms of science-based policy making, understanding that the situation will require to include in the equation other complementary innovative protocols, methods and models to better understand the underlying molecular mechanisms linked to the observed phenotypic effects.

This project will make use of a variety of complementary experimental models and methodologies to screen for several potential MNPLs-induced effects. This way, shortcomings and limitations of one or the other can be compensated and overcome while providing comprehensive solid scientific evidence. This rationale will be applied, from lower to higher complexity, to physicochemical and exposure-based data, cell-based high-throughput assays, cell-based high content analysis, cell-based omics and bioinformatic/ computational analysis, and whole organisms-based toxicogenomic.