Dear Readers,
as we near the end of another impactful year, we’re happy to share the ground-breaking progress we’ve made in understanding the fate and effects of micro and nanoplastics on human health. This newsletter serves as your gateway to the latest updates, insights, and developments from the PlasticsFatE project and its collaborators.
Shaping Policy and Driving Change
Plastics pollution is one of the defining challenges of our time, affecting ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health across the globe. PlasticsFatE is tackling this head-on with actionable solutions. A key milestone has been the release of our first policy brief, “Setting the Standard for Plastic Exposure and Hazard Assessment.” This document lays the groundwork for creating standardized guidelines to evaluate the risks and hazards of plastic exposure, a critical step toward informed and effective regulatory frameworks.
Engaging the Public Through Dialogue
In addition to policy advancements, PlasticsFatE has launched a thought-provoking podcast series. These episodes bring together AI experts to explore the environmental and health challenges posed by plastics. Our first podcast topics include the triple planetary crisis, the impact of microplastics on human immune cells, and innovative approaches to addressing plastic pollution. The series is designed to make our research more accessible to everyone.
At PlasticsFate, we remain committed to advancing research, informing policy, and engaging with the public to address the pressing issue of the impact of micro and nanoplastics on human health. Your support and engagement make all the difference in helping us drive impactful change.
Finally, on behalf of all the whole PlasticsFatE Team, we wish you a peaceful and enjoyable holiday season.
Setting the Standard for Plastic Exposure and Hazard Assessment
PlasticsFatE’s First Policy Brief
We’re proud to announce the publication of our first policy brief, “Harmonization and Standardization in Plastic Exposure and Hazard Assessment.” The first in a series of four, this policy brief tackles critical issues surrounding micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs), shedding light on their pervasive impact on human health, and the pressing need for unified methodologies in their study.
Co-authored by PlasticsFatE partners Bernd Giese and Lasse Steffens from BOKU, Austria, this brief is a culmination of over three years’ intensive work undertaken by our research teams with input from global experts, research findings, stakeholder consultations, and collaborative events, setting the stage for informed policy and regulatory actions.
Find out more / Read the brief
PlasticsFatE Partner Attends Crucial Negotiations at UN Global Plastics Treaty
The 5th round of negotiations (INC-5) for a Global Plastics Treaty under the framework of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) concluded in Busan, South Korea, at the beginning of December. This pivotal event gathered representatives from over 150 countries alongside stakeholders from industry, civil society, and science, all united by a shared mission to end plastic pollution—a threat to environmental health, biodiversity, and the climate.
Dr. Dana Kühnel, an ecotoxicologist from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) and a key partner/Work Package leader in the PlasticsFatE project, played an active role in these discussions as part of the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty.
Find out more
New Podcast Series: MNP science made short and simple
PlasticsFatE’s research is now being made easily accessible through the PlasticsFatE Podcasts, your new go-to resource for understanding the science behind MNPs and human health—made simple, clear, and accessible. In a world where research papers can be dense and time-consuming, our AI podcasters are here to save the day, summarizing the latest complex findings into bite-sized, engaging discussions.
Find out more / Listen to the podcasts
Read the latest updates from PlasticsFatE
- CUSP Cluster Newsletter #7 – Final results and future pathways: find out the latest developments from the CUSP projects and working groups
- PlasticsFatE partners participate in a public hearing on the health impacts of plastics at the French Congress
- University of Bayreuth Hosts Successful Early Career Workshop on Microplastic Regulations
- PlasticsFatE Researchers at FAU Win Prestigious Award for Ground-breaking Study on Microplastics’ Impact on Human Cells
- Introducing FHERITALE – an invitation to find out more about this new initiative building a catalogue of services and technologies available for researchers in MNPs
- Combatting Microplastic Pollution: CUSP’s Work Highlights the Importance of Research for Informing EU Policy
Stay up to date with PlasticsFatE
This is just a selection of our updates, but there is plenty more project news on our home page, and external news feeds related to MNPs on our news feeds page.
To receive invitations to events, workshops and conferences, and keep up to date with project developments, use the QR code or go to our contacts page.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 965367
Source
PlasticsFatE newsletter, press release, 2024-12-19.
Supplier
European Union
Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung (UFZ)
Horizon 2020
PlasticsFatE
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien (BOKU)
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