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  • 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

  • Applying EU hazard assessment frameworks to microplastics

    April 16, 2024

    Researchers / Institutional Affiliations

    Principal Investigator

    • Dr. Bart Koelmans
      Wageningen University
      (The Netherlands)

    Collaborators

    • Dr. Martine van den Heuvel-Greve
      Wageningen Marine Research
      (The Netherlands)
    • Dr. Ivo Roessink
      Wageningen Environmental Research
      (The Netherlands)

    Timeline

    March 2019 to March 2021

    Additional Information

    The Microplastic Effect Thresholds for Aquatic Species (METAS) project assessed the applicability and adaptability of the existing EU hazard assessment framework to solid polymer particles. This provides insight into the relative hazard of these particles and helps to identify future targeted testing efforts. METAS also set out to offer guidance on testing methods for microplastic particles, and how to assess threshold levels of microplastics that affect aquatic organisms. The researchers provided guidance on the implications of the project’s findings for the environmental hazard and risk assessment of microplastics.

    Further details are available here.

    Professional Presentations

    de Ruijter VN, Hof M, Kotorou P, van Leeuwen J, van den Heuvel Greve MJ, Roessink I, Koelmans AA. Testing the effects of environmentally relevant microplastic in sediment on sixteen invertebrate species under ecologically relevant conditions. Available here.

    Published Papers

    de Ruijter VN, Redondo-Hasselerharm PE, Gouin T, Koelmans AA. Quality Criteria for Microplastic Effect Studies in the Context of Risk Assessment: A Critical Review. Environmental Science & Technology, 2020, 54 (19), 11692-11705. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c03057. Available here.

    de Ruijter VN, Hof M, Kotorou P, van Leeuwen J, van den Heuvel Greve MJ, Roessink I,
    Koelmans AA. Microplastic Effect Tests Should Use a Standard Heterogenous Mixture:
    Multifarious Impacts among 16 Benthic Invertebrate Species Detected under Ecologically Relevant Test Conditions. Environmental Science & Technology, 2023, 57 (48), 19430-19441. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c06829. Available 2Q2024.

  • 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

  • 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

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