Project R-15986

Early-life health risks of micro- and nanoplastics (Research)

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) have raised growing concerns due to their ubiquitous presence in the environment and potential health threats to humans. Increasing evidence suggests that MNPs can be detected in human placental tissue and transferred to the fetus, raising concerns about the implications of fetal exposure to MNPs, given that the in utero period is the most vulnerable stage of life to environmental stressors. The project "Actionable eUropean ROadmap for early-life health Risk Assessment of micro- and nanoplastics" (AURORA) will be the first to generate preliminary evidence on the potential (long-term) effects of MNPs during pregnancy and early-life. To identify early-life health risks of MNP exposures, we will investigate their biological and health impacts, focusing on perturbations to female reproductive health (including placental and endocrine function) and child development (including biological aging and chronic health outcomes). We will use the birth cohort ENVIRONAGE, which has collected and continues to collect placenta and other tissue samples. The birth cohort includes 1,688 mother–child pairs recruited at the South-East Limburg Hospital in Genk, Belgium. Of these, 400 pairs have been followed up at ages 4–6 years and will be re-invited for follow-up at ages 8–10 years.

16 July 2025 - 15 July 2029