The volume of plastics produced globally every year has steadily increased over the last few decades and shows no signs of tapering off. Science continues to advance on the potential hazards and risks posed by human exposure to small pieces of plastics. A key part of these evaluations is conducting formal exposure and risk assessments of small particles as production increases.
An estimated total of 8.3 billion tons of resins and fibers have been produced globally since 2017 with the most common use being in packaging. In the last few years, scientists have recognized the emergence of micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) particles in food as in the waters, air, soil, and biota. Once ingested through food, MNPs can sequester in blood and other tissues.
Part of the perceptions of MNPs is driven by advances in laboratory instruments and technologies that make it possible to detect extremely small particles at minute amounts, which was not possible just a few years ago. However, several questions remain about the magnitude and mechanisms of uptake of MNPs into humans, as well as the direct and indirect impact of MNPs on human health.
The IAFNS Food & Chemical Safety and Food Packaging Safety & Sustainability Committees are addressing these concerns through webinars and research projects. The Committee funds research on promoting packaging sustainability, including safe recycled plastics. The committee embraces reliable, risk-based approaches to potential hazards.
One new project the Committees are pursuing will characterize food and packaging MNPs through micronization, artificial weathering, simulated gastrointestinal digestion, and analysis of their physical and chemical properties. Based on these properties, a framework will be crafted to assess human adsorption and absorption of micro- and nanoplastics from food and packaging. With these tools, more rigorous exposure and risk assessments of micro- and nanoplastics can be conducted to more fully understand any potential implications for public health.