€5 million pushed into researching effects of micro plastics in body

A consortium of researchers is investing 5.4 million euros into research to determine the health effects of micro plastic on the human body. "The aim is to determine and ultimately prevent the effects of micro- and nano plastic particles on human health," research institute TNO said to ANP.

In addition to TNO, the MOMENTUM consortium includes financier of healthcare research ZonMW, sector organization Health~Holland, and researchers from universities, teaching hospitals, and research organizations.

The researchers will first develop methods to analyze and measure the minuscule plastic particles in the human body, and then investigate where in the body these plastics are absorbed and to what consequence.

Micro plastics are created by the use and decomposition of plastic products. Even though the use of plastic is widespread worldwide, little is know about the risks of these plastics to humans, TNO said.