The exponential increase in the production/use of plastic translates into a parallel increase of environmental plastic-waste that is continuously degraded into micro and nanoplastics (MNPLs). Information on the MNPLs' effects on human health is still preliminary and, furthermore, the limitations in current methodologies prevent accurate human exposure/risk assessment.
The study aims to analyse specific biomarkers of exposure to MNPLs in humans, as well as biomarkers of genetic damage, which will allow an association between exposure to these plastic materials and the optimisation of different techniques for the detection and characterisation of MNPLs.
The study will evaluate the effect of exposure to MNPLs, analysing the genotoxic damage, different biomarkers of exposure and the effects on microbiota, in different body samples (urine, blood and feces).
