MARII
  • Home
  • About
  • Events
  • Research
  • News

  • Risk assessment for microplastics in terrestrial environments

    April 16, 2024

    Researchers / Institutional Affiliations

    • Dr. Karsten Schlich
      Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology
      (Germany)

    Timeline

    February 2023 to December 2025

    Additional Information

    The HERA-MP (Holistic Environmental Risk Assessment for MicroPlastic in the terrestrial environment) project is applying Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)/ International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standardized effect test systems to several types of microplastic in the context of agricultural practices. These include environmentally-relevant microplastics and a subset of microplastics with specific compositions, sizes and shapes. Testing will focus on heterogeneous mixtures of particles, which will be used to develop the risk assessment framework; and select, homogeneously distributed microplastics, to evaluate potential toxicological mechanisms of action based on properties such as size, shape and composition. This will supplement information from the critical review of the literature.

    Further details are available here.

    Professional Presentations

    Schofield K, Griffiths M, Pemberton E, Schlich K, Simon M, Hughes C. Comparing Approaches to Terrestrial Ecotoxicity Studies for Micro- and Nanoplastic Particles and Engineered Nanomaterials: A SWOT Analysis Approach. SETAC Europe: May 2024. See details here.

    Published Papers

    N/A

  • Comprehensive additive release and bioaccessibility model for risk assessment of micro- and nano- plastics in the environment

    April 16, 2024

    Researchers / Institutional Affiliations

    Principal Investigator

    • Prof P. Lee Ferguson
      Duke University
      (US)

    Collaborators

    • Dr. Mark R. Wiesner
      Duke University
      (US)
    • Dr Maria del Prado Domercq
      Stockholm University
      (Sweden)

    Timeline

    October 2021 to September 2024

    Additional Information

    There is a significant gap in understanding of the environmental fate of plastics additives. These may include synthetic organic chemicals such as dyes and plasticizers, and surface coatings such as water/stain repellents. Risk assessments for these additives in aquatic environments depends on being able to measure and predict exposure of sensitive receptors – such as plants, animals, habitats and ecosystems – to these materials. Robust models are needed to assess leaching of substances from plastics into water, and to understand the fate of nano- and micro-plastics ingested by organisms. Challenges to developing models include molecular diversity among polymer-associated chemicals; varied types, sizes, and formulations of polymers; complexity in nano-/micro-plastic transport and degradation; and variability in receptor organism digestion. This project aims to address these challenges and create a robust, generalizable model to predict polymer additive release, transformation and bioaccessibility in aquatic environments. Laboratory experiments will be carried out to test the model, which is expected to advance understanding and inform risk assessments.

    Further details are available here.

    Professional Presentations

    Sipe J, Lewis A, Santizo K, Pfohl P, Lopez B, Harrison S, Wohlleben W, Wiesner M, Ferguson PL. Modeling Fragmentation and Additive Release from Polymers and Microplastics. ACS Spring Polymer Fragmentation: March 2024.

    Sipe J, Lewis A, Santizo K, Pfohl P, Lopez B, Harrison S, Wohlleben W, Wiesner M, Ferguson PL. Modeling Fragmentation and Additive Release from Polymers and Microplastics. Society of Polymer Engineers: February 2024.

    Sipe J, Lewis A, Santizo K, Pfohl P, Lopez B, Harrison S, Wohlleben W, Wiesner M, Ferguson PL. Modeling Fragmentation and Additive Release from Polymers and Microplastics. AEESP: June 2023

    Published Papers

    N/A

  • Assessing microplastic inhalation toxicity

    April 16, 2024

    Researchers / Institutional Affiliations

    Principal Investigator

    • Dr. Tanja Hansen
      Fraunhofer Institute of Toxicology and Experimental Medicine
      (Germany)

    Collaborators

    • Dr. Wendel Wohlleben
      BASF
      (Germany)
    • Prof. Dr.-Ing. Silke Christiansen
      Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems
      (Germany)

    Timeline

    January 2022 to April 2024.

    Additional Information

    Routes of human exposure to microplastics may including drinking water, food, and air pollution. Nano- and micro-plastic particles are detectable in numerous aquatic organisms and in human biomonitoring samples. This project used a tiered approach to assess the inhalation toxicity of various microplastics. Objectives included: identifying factors that determine inhalation toxicity; identifying existing approaches for other solid, inhalable particles that might be usefully applied to microplastics; using a tiered testing approach; ranking microplastics by their relevance for human risk assessment, specifically human hazard by inhalation; and based on the ranking, providing recommendations for confirmatory in vivo studies.

    Further details are available here.

    Professional Presentations

    Hansen T, Santizo K, Sarau G, Kolle S, Kraus A, Ritter D, Knebel J, Schwarz K, Escher S, Christiansen S, Wohlleben W. Towards a tiered strategy to assess microplastic inhalation toxicity. EUROTOX: September 2023.

    Santizo K, Mangold H, Wohlleben W, Sarau G, Christiansen S, Hansen T. Microplastic References for Inhalation Toxicity. Inhaled Particles Conference: May 2023.

    Published Papers

    N/A

  • Modeling fragmentation of micro- and nano-plastics in the environment

    April 16, 2024

    Researchers / Institutional Affiliations

    Principal Investigator

    • Dr. Claus Svendsen
      UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

    Collaborators

    • Dr. Wendel Wohlleben
      BASF
      (Germany)
    • Dr. Antonia Praetorius
      University of Amsterdam
      (The Netherlands)
    • Dr. Prof Mark R Wiesner
      Duke University
      (US)

    Timeline

    October 2021 to June 2024

    Additional Information

    The ECO59 FRAGMENT-MNP (Micro and NanoPlastic FRAGMentation in the Environment) project applies physical chemistry, fluid mechanics, material science and data science to extend researchers’ experience with existing fragmentation theory. This is expected to provide a unified view of how key environmental factors affect degradation and fragmentation rates for polymer particles. The project has the following elements: bringing together a ‘cluster’ of projects being funded by Cefic-LRI to ensure interoperability and sharing of learnings; developing an open-source mechanistic model; and providing an experimental database of key parameters leveraging in-house databases, existing literature and targeted gap-filling experiments.

    Further details are available here.

    Professional Presentations

    Wohlleben W, Santizo K, Pfohl P, Harrison S, Cross R, Sipe JM, Wiesner M, Adediran G, Praetorius A, Catrouillet C, Lopez B, Scendsen C. Systematic comparison of environmental stresses (shear, humidity, UV, pH, temperature, enzymes) on microplastic fragmentation and release of nanoplastics and dissolved organics. SETAC Europe: May 2024. See details here.

    Sipe J, Lewis A, Santizo K, Pfohl P, Lopez B, Harrison S, Wohlleben W, Wiesner M, Ferguson PL. Breaking down Plastics: Can we predict fragmentation and release of microplastics into the environment: University of Arizona Seminar: October 2023.

    Santizo K, Pfohl P, Wohlleben W, Sipe JM, Wiesner M, Harrison S, Cross R, Adediran G, Praetorius A, Lopez B, Svendsen C. Systematic evaluation of fragmentation of five common synthetic polymers: Influence of photolysis, temperature and relative humidity on fragment size distribution and material characteristics. SETAC Europe: May 2023.

    Santizo K, Pfohl P, Wohlleben W, Sipe JM, Wiesner M, Harrison S, Cross R, Adediran G, Praetorius A, Lopez B, Svenden. Distinctions on fragmentation and degradation of six common microplastics from hydrolysis condition variations: Insights into pH, salinity and enzyme effects. SETAC Europe: May 2023.

    Sipe J, Lewis A, Santizo K, Pfohl P, Lopez B, Harrison S, Wohlleben W, Wiesner M, Ferguson PL. Breaking down the Plastic Problem: Can we predict how microplastics are fragmented and released. Brown University Seminar: March 2023.

    Published Papers

    N/A

  • Microplastic risk assessment and model development: Framework development and risk assessment model, upgrade and maintenance

    April 16, 2024

    Researchers / Institutional Affiliations

    • Framework development
      Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM; Germany)
    • Risk assessment model
      TBD
    • Risk assessment upgrade and maintenance
      TBD

    Timeline

    • Framework development: Q4 2023 to Q4 2024
    • Risk assessment model: Q2 2024 to Q4 2026
    • Risk assessment upgrade and maintenance: Q3 2025 to Q4 2026

    Additional information

    Working Package 4 (risk assessment and model development) will use data from Working Packages 2 (exposure assessment) and 3 (hazard assessment). This research is applying an innovative approach to risk assessment that combines traditional in vivo-based approach with elements from next-generation alternative techniques.

    Professional Presentations

    N/A

    Published Papers

    N/A

  • Microplastic risk assessment and model development: Hazard assessment: General, systemic, ex vivo and in vivo toxicities

    April 16, 2024

    Researchers / Institutional Affiliations

    • Cells: General toxicity
      Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek (TNO; The Netherlands)
    • Cells: Systemic toxicity
      TBD
    • Tissues: Ex vivo toxicity
      Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek (TNO; The Netherlands) The TIM Company (The Netherlands)
    • Organisms: In vivo toxicity
      TBD

    Timeline

    • Cells: General toxicity: Q1 to Q3 2025
    • Cells: Systemic toxicity: Q3 2025 to Q4 2026
    • Tissues: Ex vivo toxicity: Q4 2025 to Q1 2026
    • Organisms: In vivo toxicity: Q1 to Q2 2025

    Additional information

    Working Package 3 includes an investigation of the level of i) general toxicity in cell culture; ii) systemic toxicity in cell culture; iii) toxicity in tissues (including a gastrointestinal simulator and a liver model); and toxicity at the organism level.

    Professional Presentations

    N/A

    Published Papers

    N/A

  • Sources, emissions and environmental risk of microplastics

    April 16, 2024

    Researchers / Institutional Affiliations

    Principal Investigator

    • Wataru Naito
      National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
      (AIST ; Japan)

    Collaborators

    • Masashi Gamo
      AIST
      Research Institute of Science for Safety and Sustainability
      (RISS; Japan)
    • Kiyotaka Tsunemi
      AIST
      RISS
      (Japan)
    • Hideo Kajihara
      AIST
      RISS
      (Japan)
    • Kyoko Ono
      AIST
      RISS
      (Japan)
    • Isamu Ogura
      AIST
      RISS
      (Japan)
    • Bin-Le Lin
      AIST
      RISS
      (Japan)
    • Xue Mianqiang
      AIST
      RISS
      (Japan)
    • Yuichi Iwasaki
      AIST
      RISS
      (Japan)
    • Yuriko Ishikawa
      AIST
      RISS
      (Japan)
    • Yutaka Kameda
      Chiba Institute of Technology
      (Japan)

    Timeline

    Underway since March 2023

    Additional information

    This research project aims to facilitate realistic and effective risk management strategies to mitigate microplastic pollution. The project focuses on analyzing the load and sources of microplastics in Tokyo Bay, and conducting practical risk assessments. Leveraging material flow analysis and precise field data, the researchers’ goal is to quantitatively assess the sources of microplastic pollution in marine environments. A second aim is to quantify the temporal changes in microplastic-related environmental risks and the efficacy of various mitigation measures. The researchers have proposed an environmental risk assessment methodology tailored to the unique characteristics of microplastics, drawing from practical case studies in Tokyo Bay and the latest insights from Japanese and international sources.

    Professional Presentations

    Ueda K, Iwasaki Y, Uesaka M, Naito W. Which concentration unit should be used for environmental risk assessment of microplastics? 57th Annual Meeting of Japanese Society of Water Environment, Poster Presentation, March 2023, Univ. Ehime, Japan.

    Naito W, Iwasaki Y, Ono K, Ogura I. Framework of environmental risk assessment for microplastics and an illustrative example. 57th Annual Meeting of Japanese Society of Water Environment, Oral Presentation, March 2023, Univ. Ehime, Japan.

    Ono K, Naito W, Xue M, Tsunemi K, Ogura I. Estimation of Emission and Transfer of Microplastics to Tokyo Bay, Japan by Material Flow Analysis. SETAC EU 33rd Annual Meeting, Dublin, Ireland, April 30-May 4, 2023.

    Naito W, Gamo M, Ishikawa Y et al. Quantifying environmental emission and risk of microplastics in a semi-enclosed bay: A Tokyo Bay case study. SETAC EU 33rd Annual Meeting, Dublin, Ireland, April 30-May 4, 2023.

    Naito W. Characterizing Composition Profiles and Environmental Risk of Microplastics in Tokyo Bay, 2023 ICCA MARII WORKSHOP, Alexis Royal Sonesta Hotel, Seattle, USA, June 12-14, 2023

    Published Papers

    Ono K, Naito W, Ogura I, Xue M, Kato E, Uesaka M, Tsunemi K (2023). Estimation of microplastic emission and transfer into Tokyo Bay, Japan, using material flow analysis. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115440

    Iwasaki Y, Takeshita K.M, Ueda K, Naito W. Estimating species sensitivity distributions for microplastics by quantitatively considering particle characteristics using a recently created ecotoxicity database. Micropl.& Nanopl. 3, 21 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43591-023-00070-6

  • Ecotoxicological risk assessment for microplastics

    April 16, 2024

    Researchers / Institutional Affiliations

    Principal Investigator

    • Yoshifumi Horie
      Research Center for Inland Seas
      Kobe University
      (Japan)

    Collaborators

    • Hideo Okamura
      Research Center for Inland Seas
      Kobe University
      (Japan)
    • Christopher Gomez
      Graduate School of Maritime Sciences
      Kobe University
      (Japan)
    • Akira Ijiri
      Graduate School of Maritime Sciences
      Kobe University
      (Japan)
    • Kazuyo Yamaji
      Graduate School of Maritime Sciences
      Kobe University
      (Japan)

    Timeline

    Underway since March 2023

    Additional Information

    There is currently a lack of data on risks posed by microplastics in natural ecosystems. The purpose of this project is to assess the ecological risk posed by microplastics using Osaka Bay as a model case. First, researchers investigated microplastic residues in the surface water of the sea in the Osaka Bay area as a measure of ecosystem exposure to microplastics. Second, they examined whether the time required to remove microplastics is affected when ingestion occurs through a food chain. Third, the effects of microplastics on the life cycles of aquatic organisms (Daphnia and fish) were investigated. Finally, the researchers explored whether microplastics in the water are harmful to aquatic organisms

    Profession Presentations

    N/A

    Published Papers

    Horie Y, Dorcas U, Mitsunaga K, Akkajit P, Ríos JM, Naija A. Food chain-mediated variation in excretion times of microplastics: Unraveling the interactions with plasticizers. Regional Studies in Marine Science. 69, 103343. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2023.103343

  • Assessing microplastic deposition in sediment cores from a contiguous water system (microDETECT)

    April 16, 2024

    Researchers / Institutional Affiliations

    Principal Investigator

    • Andy Booth
      Chief Scientist
      SINTEF Ocean
      (Trondheim, Norway)

    Collaborators

    • J.K. Patterson Edward
      Director
      Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute
      (Tamil Nadu, India)
    • Stefania Piarulli
      Researcher
      SINTEF Ocean
      (Trondheim, Norway)
    • Astrid Strunk
      Post-doctoral Researcher
      Lund University (Lund, Sweden)
    • Jamila Patterson
      Professor
      Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute
      (Tamil Nadu, India)
    • Stephan Kubowicz
      Senior Researcher
      SINTEF Industry
      (Trondheim, Norway)
    • Lisbet Sørensen
      Senior Researcher
      SINTEF Ocean
      (Trondheim, Norway)
    • R.L. Laju
      Assistant Professor
      Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute (Tamil Nadu, India)
    • K. Immaculate Jeyasanta
      Assistant Professor
      Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute
      (Tamil Nadu, India)
    • Navamani Gladwin Gnana Asir
      Assistant Professor
      Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute
      (Tamil Nadu, India)

    Timeline

    The project runs from early 2024 to early 2026 (24 months).

    Additional information

    It will assess how the composition and abundance of transported MP have changed over time by determining deposition rates in riverine, estuarine and marine sediment cores collected from multiple sampling sites, as well as the contribution from different anthropogenic sources along the contiguous water system.

    Professional Presentations

    N/A

    Published Papers

    N/A

  • Lower size limits of microplastics and challenges for detection in complex samples

    April 16, 2024

    Researchers / Institutional Affiliations

    Co-principal Investigators

    • Xiaoshi Zhang, Ph.D.
      The Pennsylvania State University
      (Pennsylvania, US)
    • Alicyn Rhoades, Ph.D.
      The Pennsylvania State University
      (Pennsylvania, US)

    Collaborators

    • Hlengilizwe Nyoni
      The Pennsylvania State University
      (Pennsylvania, US)
    • Maxwell Wetherington
      The Pennsylvania State University
      (Pennsylvania, US)

    Timeline

    Kick-off date: October 13, 2023; projected completion date: October 2024. A presentation and a paper describing study results are planned.

    Additional information

    Professional Presentations

    N/A

    Published Papers

    N/A

1 2
Next Page
MARII
  • LinkedIn
  • X

© Copyright 2025 International Council of Chemical Associations. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy