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Solutions to micro and nanoplastics: what can we actually do?

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Second part — Notes from the Scientific and informative day promoted by the Microplastics on Human Health Committee with the municipality of Milan


After Monday’s post on research and scenarios, we turn to a more urgent question: are there realistic solutions to micro and nanoplastics?

This is the second part of the second annual outreach conference on micro- and nanoplastics, organised by the Microplastics on Human Health Committee in collaboration with the Municipality of Milan. (You can read part. 1 here).

Exploring ideas and solutions to micro and nanoplastics.

Image from the Municipality of Milan and Acquairum for the scientific and informative day "Micro and nanoplastics: research status and scenarios," promoted by the Microplastics on Human Health Committee with the Municipality of Milan.

The recovery of micro- and nanoplastics in biomethane production


Alessandro Daneu, Environmental Engineer

He focused on organic wastewater treatment through anaerobic digestion for biogas and biomethane production. This is not only an excellent example of circular economy but also — with appropriate process modifications — a potential solution to reduce the dispersion of micro- and nanoplastics while simultaneously using them to increase biomethane production.
These solutions are currently being tested and patented, further confirmed by collaboration with Tongji University in Shanghai.

The starting problem is simple:
We are immersed in plastic. Ultimately, it has to go somewhere.

Today, we recover large, visible plastic at collection centres. In some European countries, every plastic number has its own container. When plastic is mixed, separation systems exist — but recovery is very difficult. The only plastic easily recoverable is PET (bottles).

Italy is at the forefront of PET recovery, recovering more than 50% — higher than the European requirement.

Plastics that aren’t recovered end up in waste-to-energy plants. Since they’re a petroleum derivative, combustion is the most appropriate use.

The real problem is micro- and nanoplastics — about which we know little.
Plastics from organic waste most easily enter the water cycle. The challenge is separating plastics without shredding them, as was once done.

Biomethane as an opportunity for Europe:

It represents the valorisation of waste. These are molecules that, if recovered, do not enter the environment. The nitrogen contained in organic proteins is transformed into ammonia, which can create environmental problems. Here, ammonia recovery is also possible.
From an energy perspective, biomethane replaces natural methane — reducing foreign dependence, creating a domestic product, and providing clean fuel recovered from recycling.

Today, many freight trucks are methane-powered, and a large portion run on biomethane. 

Energy is recovered and sold. Fertilisers can be made. Ammonia can be recovered as bioammonia. By-products that can be reused.

FMSW (municipal organic waste). Initial separation is important because all sorts of things end up in the organic waste. The recycling process does not consume external water.

Debunking some myths:

• Separating macroplastics does not eliminate microplastics and nanoplastics — they still end up in our waters.
• The only way to intercept them is in purifiers, wastewater, and water treatment processes.
• Biodegradable or compostable plastic does not solve the problem. We get microplastics and nanoplastics anyway.
• The downstream purifier does not solve the problem on its own unless appropriate treatment policies are implemented.
• Anaerobic digestion does not solve the entire problem — in fact, it could create one due to ammonia.

What can we do: solutions to micro and nanoplastics

PHAs and microplastics: sustainable solutions for agriculture and design


Eligio Martini, Chemical Engineer and Maip group president

The accumulation of microplastics in agricultural soils is an emerging problem threatening soil fertility, crop health, and food security. Conventional plastics used in agriculture — mulch films, greenhouse films, irrigation materials — fragment and persist in the environment for a long time.

Enter PHAs (polyhydroxyalkanoates): bioplastics of microbial origin, completely biodegradable in soil. A promising alternative.

The confusion around “bioplastics”
The term isn’t accurate. “Bioplastics” means everything:

  • Some are of natural origin (not from oil).
  • Some are biodegradable in specific conditions.
  • But not all bioplastics are biodegradable.
  • Some bioplastics come from oil and are biodegradable.

Real bioplastics are both natural in origin and biodegradable.

What is PHA?

A natural polymer. Exists in nature. Biodegradable.
Forms through fermentation — a natural process. Transformation of a polymer into biomass, water, and carbon dioxide.

PHA is a family of polymers. Fermenters are used to produce it, but the process is natural.
Polyester is a large family of materials that can be more or less harmful. Polyester is the chemical characteristic of the material. The chemical structure makes it a polyester, but there are different kinds of polyesters.

Why PHA matters:
Unlike PLA (which is not biodegradable everywhere and lasts like traditional plastic), PHA is biodegradable under all conditions—controlled or not by man.

Truly biodegradable materials:

  • Pure cellulose (paper, not wood)
  • Rice starch
  • PHA

PHA is the only natural material that can be processed like plastic but is not plastic. It releases no microplastics. Nothing toxic for the environment.

A striking statistic:
All the plastic islands we see in the seas? Only 2% of the plastic present in the water. PHA would help solve the rest.

Applications are vast:
Pens, cosmetics, packaging, bioremediation of the seas, agriculture — where plastic gets discarded and never collected.

So why aren’t we using PHA everywhere?
It’s called “the sleeping giant” — quite unknown, perhaps to emphasise its potential but limited use. It is more expensive than plastic, so it’s used for high-value items.

The challenge: passing the concept that even if it costs more, the long-term positive effects are worth it.

Note: The MAIP Group (European) is one of the few producers of PHA.

The microplastic-free lamp and fashion from organic farming and certified forests


Natasha Calandrino Van Kleef and Carlo Covini — Sustainable design experts, NKV and Lenzing

Natasha presented the design of a design object — the “Sibilla” lamp prototype — entirely made with a process that produces no microplastics throughout the entire product cycle.

Together with Carlo Covini (Lenzing manager), she also illustrated a virtuous example of completely natural clothing, including all its components and therefore certifiable: “Garments from Organic Farming and Certified Forests.”

Key distinction: biodegradable vs. compostable

  • Biodegradable: a natural process (light, water, air)
  • Compostable: an industrial process

This distinction forms the backdrop to the new NKV Fashion & Lenzing project — the result of years of research into microplastic pollution in fashion.

What they discussed:
Garments made from 100% hemp or 100% organic cotton, both GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified.
Sewn with innovative TENCEL™ Lyocell sewing thread from certified forests.

The bigger picture:
Cellulosic fibres make up only 6% of the market.
Meanwhile, synthetic fibre production is increasing.

Biochar and innovative solutions


Dalia Benefatto — Sustainable economy expert

She explained the nature of biochar: a vegetable carbon obtained from the pyrolysis of agricultural waste and organic residues.

Why biochar is promising:
The production process has particularly attractive environmental characteristics — it co-produces renewable energy and is carbon-negative.

But most importantly, biochar is a prime tool for removing micro- and nanoplastics from the environment.

Milestones achieved and future potential
Among the advantages of biochar: its use as a carbon-negative pigment for dyeing — an eco-friendly and functional alternative.

The analysis addresses pressing challenges, exploring its potential effectiveness in mitigating PFAS. An experimental study is proposed on cotton-polyester blend fabrics, with the aim of transforming them into new by-products while eliminating the release of microplastics.

Key concept: Return economy

  • Waste as a resource
  • Waste valorisation

And: biochar removes CO₂ from the atmosphere.

Innovation and process in hospitals


Elena Bottinelli — Director, Villa Erbosa – San Donato group

She emphasised that those working in the healthcare sector cannot ignore the One Health approach — the interconnection between human health, animal health, and environmental health.

The key question:
How are hospitals implementing initiatives to reduce their environmental impact?

The scale of the problem:
25% of hospital waste is plastic.

The challenge:
Reducing plastic consumption while maintaining cost-effectiveness and sterility — guaranteed by the use of disposable products.

The proposal:
Process innovations that combine plastic reduction with organisational efficiency, resulting in positive impacts on overall sustainability. Evidence from best practices.

Solutions to micro and nanoplastics — Final thoughts


So yes, solutions to micro and nanoplastics exist.
The question is whether we — citizens, institutions, industries — are willing to adopt them before the system reaches its limits.

Time is not on our side.

From biomethane recovery to PHA, from biochar to circular processes, the ideas are there. But they remain fragmented — often expensive, often limited in scale, often carried forward by the same actors.

And this is where a familiar discomfort returns.

When we hear about certifications, “certified forests”, biodegradable materials, something doesn’t fully settle. Not because these solutions are false. But because we have learned how easily they can be absorbed into narratives that promise change without transforming the system.

Greenwashing wasn’t named here either.
But again, it lingered.

In sectors like fashion, the gap is still evident. Beyond pilot projects and virtuous examples, the structural issues remain: overproduction, waste, and a system that continues to generate the problem faster than it can solve it.

So the question is no longer whether solutions exist.
It is whether we are ready to recognise the difference between solutions and stories — and who benefits when we confuse the two.

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Micro and nanoplastics: research status and scenarios

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Scientific and informative day promoted by the Microplastics on Human Health Committee with the municipality of Milan


This is the second annual outreach conference on micro- and nanoplastics, organised by the Microplastics on Human Health Committee in collaboration with the Municipality of Milan.

Last year’s conference opened the conversation — covered in a three-part series: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

Why this event? Because scientific knowledge is often poorly communicated. Misinformation is widespread.

This topic spans multiple domains:
• effects on human health
• the biological world
• the industrial world
• disposal and reuse of plastic
• the fashion world

The goal is simple but essential: to share accurate information with the public and with institutions.
You can watch the event here.

Image from the Municipality of Milan and Acquairum for the scientific and informative day "Micro and nanoplastics: research status and scenarios," promoted by the Microplastics on Human Health Committee with the Municipality of Milan.

The weight of things: a brief history of anthropogenic mass


Telmo Pievani – professor of philosophy of biological sciences, University of Padua.

He opens the panel.

What is plastic? 
He starts with a quote: 

“The material that nature forgot to invent.”

On one hand, it’s a sign of human inventiveness — the creation of a democratic material. On the other hand, it also has a dark side: if nature didn’t invent it, it means there are no bacteria capable of destroying it.

How long have we been inventing materials that nature forgot to invent?
We have become physiologically dependent on technology. Just think of something as basic as cooking.
We changed the world through technology, and we have become dependent on it.
Now, we must learn to interact with nature in a virtuous way.

The problem is time. Let’s consider the human impact on the environment: from the 1950s onwards, there has been a great acceleration. In the last three generations, the human impact on the planet has gone out of control.

The weight of human artefacts used in our lives has exceeded the combined weight of all the plants, organisms, and microorganisms on Earth. 
(Ron Milo, study published in Nature, December 2020).

If we continue like this, by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the sea.

We must learn to make peace with nature.
Nature-based solutions — as explored by Frances Arnold. She has found enzymes capable of reducing pollutants.

So, back to where we started: this, too, was not invented by nature, but it is a solution. Harnold exploited evolution to produce an enzyme that nature hadn’t invented. Researchers are now looking for bacteria capable of degrading plastic.

The attractiveness of plastic and its environmental implications, with particular reference to water


Nicoletta Ancona – Curator of the Aquarium and Civic Hydrological Station of Milan.

Plastics — what are they? 
Polymers — very long chains. Many different substances that we group together under a single name.

They have responded to human needs in every circumstance, as they are very cheap materials. The main problem issingle-use plastic — it degrades very slowly. Therefore, its use must be severely limited.

Plastic production is rapidly increasing. But where does all this plastic end up?
Only a tiny portion is recovered. The rest is dispersed everywhere, through the water cycle. Concentrations of plastic are found everywhere. 
Microplastics are the most damaging. Micro- and nanoplastics are much less visible but make up a significant portion of our diet. It starts with filter feeders — oysters, shellfish, whales — so they enter the food chain.
There are also substances that bind to plastic and amplify its harmful effects.

So, there is an ethical and health issue. It is important to inform, raise awareness, and educate. Let’s start from the bottom — from our daily lives —  to limiting plastics.

A striking note:
It’s sad to hear that in a facility like the Aquarium, they still use plastic cups for coffee. Due to existing agreements, bla bla bla… When we say the system is designed to fail, are we really wrong?

The hidden threats of plastics on human health


Prof. Claudio Fenizia – Professor of Immunology, University of Milan

Threats of plastic to human health. Highlighting the critical issues.

How plastics enter the body:
Plastics enter through inhalation, food, food and beverage containers, food storage containers, and transdermal application.
Plastics have been found in blood, testes, placenta, and amniotic fluid.
What is the effect?
• In atherosclerotic plaques, a higher concentration of plastic corresponds to greater inflammation.
• Plastic has been found in tumour tissue.
• A higher amount of plastic in the brain corresponds to a higher proportion of individuals with disorders such as senile dementia.

But – and this is key –
Until the causal mechanism is identified, the effect cannot be demonstrated.
Or rather: it must be defined whether plastic is the cause or the effect of inflammation or disease.

Environment, water and health


Prof. Caterina La Porta – Professor of Pathology, University of Milan

The environment we live in determines our health. A single vision of health emerges — One health.

Water is one of the most important vectors of exposure. We drink. We bathe. We wash our clothes. Everything in the environment reaches us.

Heavy metals, pesticides, and organic compounds accumulate in the environment.
This isn’t just an environmental problem — it’s becoming a health issue.

Regarding the impact of micro- and nanoplastics, we need to determine whether there is correlation or causality. Whether there is a single effect or bioaccumulation.

The microbiota — the complex network of bacteria, fungi, and viruses present in our intestines — is key.
Studies are being conducted to understand what happens with microplastics, which function as a concentration of toxic substances.

Climate change multiplies the risk. For example, drought increases concentration.

Education means making it clear that there is a problem. And making the right choice together.

What kind of future do we want?

Are PFAS and plastics really eternal pollutants?


Prof. Edoardo Puglisi – Professor of Agricultural Microbiology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Cremona

The question — which may seem philosophical, but it’s a scientific one — concerns whether we can solve the problems posed by these invaders.

First, a distinction: pollutant vs. contaminant.
When we talk about pollution, we use the words pollutant and contaminant in the same way, as synonyms. Technically, they are two different things.

• Contaminant: a natural or man-made substance that reaches a certain threshold.
• Pollutant: when that substance reaches levels high enough to cause adverse effects.

Another related issue is natural vs. synthetic substances.
There’s a tendency to think that natural substances are less toxic, but this isn’t always true.
We must have a scientific approach that allows us to understand how and to what extent substances can be dangerous.

Some natural substances are much more toxic than chemical ones.
In science, it’s best not to have multiple words that mean the same thing.

Another key distinction: danger vs. risk

• Danger: a substance that is toxic and can be dangerous to humans and the environment.
• Risk: depends on exposure. Risk combines danger and exposure. How much we are exposed to these substances. Risk assessment involves addressing these two elements.

A tiger can be dangerous, but the risk depends on the exposure.
The same goes for pollutants. 

As a microbiologist, the answer he tries to give as to whether PFAS are truly contaminants starts from the observation of microorganisms. These are the oldest organisms on Earth. They are a constant with an enormous capacity to adapt, even to new invaders.

New substances are called xenobiotics — substances that have never existed on Earth. Like PFAS, like plastics. 
Organisms were unaware of them, but they learned to interact with them.

Microorganisms are, therefore, allies in remediation. If we are dealing with an organic pollutant, microorganisms can learn to degrade and consume it.
There is a coevolution between microorganisms and the xenobiotics existing in the environment. New metabolic pathways are developing that can lead to degradation.

What are PFAS?

PFAS are a highly heterogeneous family of chemical molecules containing a covalent bond between carbon and fluorine. They are called “eternal pollutants” because they are difficult to degrade.

PFAS and microplastics move through the environment and enter humans. Plastics tend to become micro- and nanoplastics. The smaller they are, the more they tend to accumulate.

Plastifera, the communities of bacteria and microscopic fungi that have learned to colonise plastics. The degradation of plastics is still very limited. But fungi are beginning to degrade plastics.

Remediation is possible
PFAS can be remediated. The costs are high, but the costs associated with pollution are even higher.
There are enzymes that have learned to colonise PFAS.

Case study: Veneto
In Veneto, there has been a significant accumulation of PFAS in water and the environment. A study is underway to identify degradation genes.

His conclusion:
He is confident that solutions can be found to degrade PFAS.

Micro and nanoplastics — closing notes


If by 2050 we’ll have more plastic than fish in the sea, these bacteria need to hurry up.

From Pievani’s “material that nature forgot to invent” to Puglisi’s microbes slowly learning to eat it, one thing is clear: nature is trying to catch up. But time is not on our side.

We left the panel with more questions than answers—
Not just about causality and bioaccumulation, but about who to trust. Greenwashing wasn’t mentioned by name, but it hung in the air like the plastic cups of the Aquarium.

—

Coming Wednesday:
Micro and nanoplastics: what can we actually do? From daily choices to institutional action. 

Micro and nanoplastics: research status and scenarios Read More »

Microplastics on Human Health – Part 3: Impact in Fashion

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Microplastics and fashion – Challenges & solutions


This post, the third and final instalment of a three-part series, delves into the impact of microplastics in the fashion industry, exploring both the challenges and potential solutions. It builds on insights from the November 2024 scientific outreach event, Microplastics and Human Health, where experts highlighted the pervasive presence of microplastics and their escalating threat to human health. Cultural Project by Natasha Calandrino Van Kleef; Scientific Direction by Claudio Fenizia. Promoted by the University of Milan and the Municipality of Milan.

You can read the first and second instalments [here] and [here]. Additionally, you can watch the panel discussions [here] and [here].

Now let’s step into our field, fashion.

The impact of microplastics in fashion


Dalia Benefatto from Devalia presented a compelling case on “The Impact of Microplastics in Fashion: Challenges and Solutions.” She advocated for a scientific approach to the circular economy.

The story of synthetic materials began in 1873 when New Yorker John Wesley Hyatt patented celluloid, the first artificial polymer, which revolutionised industries like motion pictures. Without plastic, our world would look vastly different. However, once plastics enter the ocean, they undergo fragmentation, breaking down into increasingly smaller particles that are impossible to recover. These particles eventually become microplastics. Specifically, it is a process that all textile and clothing materials made of synthetic fibres are subjected to.

Today, 85% of textiles and clothing are made from synthetic fibres, with polyester being the most widely used due to its low cost. While fast fashion is often singled out as the primary culprit, the entire fashion industry bears significant responsibility for global microplastic pollution. In fact, polyester is used transversally. 

Polyester, washing clothes, and microplastic shedding


Fast fashion is particularly problematic due to its unsustainable business model, which continuously floods the market with new garments made from synthetic materials. These fabrics shed microplastics in the form of fibres, known as fibrils, which are less than 5mm in size and represent a significant contributor to the global crisis of microplastic pollution.

Every year, over half a million tonnes of fibrils are released into the oceans, primarily during domestic washing. The amount of fibrils released depends on the fabric composition; the higher the synthetic content, the greater the release. A single wash load can disperse hundreds of millions of fibrils into waterways, adding to those released during garment production.

For example, jeans—arguably the most ubiquitous garment—undergo aggressive treatments such as sanding, brushing, and washing with pumice stones. These processes exacerbate the release of fibrils and toxic substances, further intensifying the environmental impact.

Circular economy and behavioural change


To address this crisis, a systemic shift towards a circular economy is urgently needed. It is essential to start new behavioral habits, to prolong the life of materials. This would replace the current disposable model of “extract, produce, and discard” with one that prioritises sharing, repairing, recycling, lending, reusing, reconditioning and renting. However, this transition must be grounded in science.

Scientific knowledge, data, and analysis are essential to creating a virtuous cycle. Starting a common knowledge will also help fight greenwashing—a practice that undermines genuine sustainability efforts. Benefatto emphasises the importance of responsibility over mere sustainability, advocating for measurable actions rather than vague claims.

For instance, a 2018 study revealed that a single wash of synthetic garments can release between 700,000 and 1.5 million plastic fibrils. Scientific bodies have also compared two types of polyester fabrics: one made from continuous filament fibres (with fibres up to 1,000 metres long) and another made from shorter fibres (around 10cm long). The former sheds six times fewer fibrils than the latter, highlighting the importance of structural composition in reducing microplastic pollution.

Practical steps: washing machine filters, fabric choices, and reducing fast fashion’s impact


Consumers can take practical steps to mitigate the impact of microplastics. For example:

  • Washing machine filters: These can capture up to 90% of fibrils, preventing them from entering waterways.
  • Special washing bags: Designed to contain synthetic garments, these bags reduce fibril release during washing.
  • Fabric choices: Opting for natural or cellulose fibres, such as cotton, wool, or lyocell, can significantly reduce microplastic shedding.

Innovative materials like PLA (polylactic acid) fibre, derived from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugarcane, offer biodegradable alternatives. Similarly, biochar, a by-product of biomass, can be used to produce filter fabrics with natural antimicrobial properties.

In the design phase, prioritising durability, recyclability, and compostability is crucial. A cultural shift towards valuing quality over quantity is essential to limit fibril pollution. Ultimately, the market adapts to consumer demand, giving us the power to drive change.

The impact of microplastics in fashion – Final thoughts


Dalia Benefatto’s insights on the impact of microplastics on fashion resonated deeply, shedding light on both the harmful effects of fast fashion and the potential for positive change. Her emphasis on creating a shared scientific knowledge base to combat greenwashing was particularly inspiring.

However, the lack of an overall perspective that connects the dots across various sectors remains a challenge. For instance, Carlo Covini from Lenzing highlighted the confusion surrounding sustainable fabrics. While facing many options, consumers often struggle to identify the best choices. Imagine if clothing were limited to cotton and wool—global resources would quickly deplete. In fact, true sustainability lies in diversifying fabrics and materials, ensuring a balance between innovation and environmental responsibility. It’s not just one fabric.

In conclusion, the fight against microplastic pollution requires collective action, from scientific research to consumer behaviour. By making informed choices and advocating for systemic change, we can reduce the fashion industry’s impact on our planet and our health.

We hope you enjoyed our three-part series—comment below!

Microplastics on Human Health – Part 3: Impact in Fashion Read More »

Microplastics and Human Health – Part 2: Health Risks and Scientific Findings

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Microplastics in our bodies – What science tells us


This post, the second instalment of a three-part series, explores the health risks of microplastics, examining the latest scientific findings and their implications for human health. It builds on the insights from the November 2024 scientific outreach event, Microplastics and Human Health, where experts highlighted a pressing global issue: the pervasive presence of microplastics and their growing threat to human health.

In the previous post, we explored the nature of plastics and microplastics, as well as potential solutions. Today, we delve deeper into the health risks of microplastics and the scientific discoveries made so far.
(You can watch the panel here and here).

Health risks of microplastics: “The impact of micro- and nanoplastics on human health”


Prof. Claudio Fenizia, Professor of Immunology, University of Milan: “The Impact of Micro- and Nanoplastics on Human Health.” To understand the scale of the problem, let’s first examine how microplastics have become an inescapable part of our environment—and our bodies.

Plastic has become an indispensable part of modern life. It’s affordable and durable, features that make it ubiquitous. Today, it is nearly impossible to find an object that does not contain plastic. However, this convenience comes at a cost.

In the Western world, the average person uses approximately four single-use plastic packages daily. Over a year, this amounts to 1,500 packages per capita, equating to 90 kg of plastic waste. In 2020 alone, tens of millions of tonnes of plastic were produced globally, with an estimated 8 million tonnes entering the oceans annually. This plastic waste accumulates, forming massive garbage islands. The first such island was discovered a decade ago, and since then, these formations have increased tenfold every ten years. Today, there are around 20 such islands, covering roughly 1% of the Earth’s surface.

Plastic waste doesn’t just float on the ocean’s surface—it also sinks, settling on the seabed. This phenomenon has led geologists to propose naming this sedimentary layer as part of the Anthropocene, marking a geological era defined by significant human influence.

Beyond the oceans, microplastics have been detected in virtually every environment on Earth, from aquifers to remote regions untouched by human activity. They are even present in the air we breathe.

How microplastics are formed


Microplastics are generated through mechanical friction, such as the wear and tear of tyres on roads, the washing of polyester clothing, and the exposure of plastic to UV rays, and to heating or cooling. These processes break down larger plastic items into micro- and nanoparticles, which accumulate as part of polluting particulate matter (PM10 or PM2.5).

Also, the fragmentation of microplastics releases additives—chemicals added to plastics to achieve desired properties. Many of these additives are toxic, further exacerbating pollution. Additionally, the mixing of additives during plastic recycling raises questions about the true sustainability of recycling practices.

These are secondary microplastics, obtained by unwanted fragmentation of larger plastics. Instead, primary microplastics are those produced already in the size of a millimetre: fertilizers, detergents, paint, and cosmetics.

How microplastics enter the human body


Micro and nanoplastics enter our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, and absorption.

  1. Inhalation: they are present in the air, making inhalation unavoidable.
  2. Ingestion: they contaminate seafood, agricultural products (meat and vegetables), and even drinking water. They are also found in food packaging, especially when it degrades. Everyday items like toothbrushes, nail polish, and pens contribute to our ingestion of microplastics. Studies have detected microplastics in human intestines and faeces, with infants being the most exposed—their faeces contain 14 times more microplastics than those of adults.
  3. Absorption: Microplastics have been found in human lungs, blood, and even organs. They have been detected in atherosclerotic plaques, the brain, male genitalia, sperm, the placenta, and umbilical cords. While some findings, such as those in the brain, are still under scientific review, their presence in critical tissues is alarming.

While these studies demonstrate a correlation between microplastic exposure and disease, the exact mechanisms remain unclear.

Health risks of microplastics & scientific challenges in proving causality


In conclusion, the health risks of microplastics are a growing concern, with scientific findings highlighting their potential impact on human health.

Despite mounting evidence, establishing a definitive causal link between microplastics and specific health outcomes remains complex. Scientific research is time-consuming, expensive, and must account for numerous variables. However, the inflammatory effects of microplastics are well-documented, underscoring the need for caution.

In the meantime, raising awareness about plastic pollution and its potential health impacts is crucial. Education and informed action are our best tools for addressing this global challenge.

In the next instalment of this series, we will explore the impact of microplastics on the fashion industry. Stay tuned!

Microplastics and Human Health – Part 2: Health Risks and Scientific Findings Read More »

Microplastics on Human Health – Part 1: Understanding the Problem

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A Deep Dive Into the Milan Event on Microplastics and Health


We’re excited to share the first instalment of a three-part series from the event  Microplastics and Human Health – Part 1. Held in November 2024, this gathering of experts highlighted a pressing global issue: the pervasive presence of microplastics and their impact on human health. Months later, the findings remain critically relevant.

Microplastics are no longer just an environmental concern—they’re in our stomachs, blood, and even the umbilical cords of newborns. This alarming reality was the focus of research presented by the University of Milan at the Civic Aquarium of Milan, during a scientific outreach day promoted by the University of Milan in collaboration with the Presidency of the Milan City Council. Specifically, the event Microplastics and Human Health brought together researchers, immunologists, physicists, microbiologists, and engineers to discuss the latest scientific discoveries in an accessible way. Cultural Project by Natasha Calandrino Van Kleef; Scientific Direction by Claudio Fenizia.

Microplastics on Human Health: Why this initiative matters

  1. Environmental Sustainability: Addressing the long-term impact of plastic pollution.
  2. Interdisciplinarity: Combining expertise from diverse fields for a holistic approach.
  3. Community Engagement: Involving citizens and the Milan Municipality to raise awareness.

The goal? To spark awareness and action on the growing threat of microplastics to human health. Plastics take an extremely long time to degrade, leading to an accumulation of microplastics that affect human health.
You can watch the conference here and here.

“Plastics: these unknown entities”


Alberto Milani, Physicist, Dept. of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering “G. Natta,” Polytechnic University of Milan, explained how these materials permeate every aspect of modern life. The visible issue is the vast floating plastic islands in our oceans. But an even more insidious problem lies in the microscopic particles we unknowingly ingest.

  • Plastics are omnipresent: They have transformed daily objects, design, sports, and transportation.
  • More accurately termed polymeric materials: These include polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), among many others.
  • Advantages: Lightness, ease of transformation, and lower energy consumption compared to other materials.
  • Disadvantages: Weak mechanical properties and long-term environmental persistence.

Currently, global consumption trends are increasing. However, once a polymer is created, it cannot be reversed. It remains in nature, initially in visible form, then breaking down into smaller and smaller particles due to mechanical wear and atmospheric conditions—eventually becoming microplastics.

Bioplastics: a potential solution?


One of the solutions proposed is bioplastics, but defining them is complex. At the European level, bioplastics are categorised as:

  1. Biobased: Derived from plant-based raw materials.
  2. Biodegradable and compostable: Able to break down naturally under specific conditions.
  3. A combination of both: Biobased and biodegradable.

In Italy, bioplastics are defined only as biodegradable and compostable, regardless of whether they originate from plant-based or fossil sources.

The issue is complex, with open-ended possibilities. With bioplastics, we can tackle the problem either at the source or at the end of the material’s lifecycle. Specifically, bioplastics derived from plant-based sources address the problem at the source by using renewable materials that bypass the need for petroleum. On the other hand, biodegradability addresses the problem at the end of the lifecycle, as it allows materials—whether derived from fossil fuels or plants—to break down naturally after use.

While bioplastics offer a potential solution, they raise further questions:

  • Biodegradability Conditions: How easily do these materials break down in natural environments? Do they require industrial processing?
  • Environmental Impact: Do they truly decompose into harmless molecules, or do they form even longer-lasting compounds?
  • Human Health Effects: Could residues from biodegradation accumulate in the body through the food chain?


Conclusion


Plastics, or polymeric materials, are substances composed of macromolecules known as polymers. These polymers consist of long chains of repeating molecular units called monomers, chemically bonded together through polymerisation. Their chemical nature, molecular structure, and solid-state aggregation define their properties and applications, making them incredibly diverse materials.

However, the term bioplastic is ambiguous, covering a broad spectrum of plant-based or biodegradable materials—or sometimes both. While they offer a step toward sustainability, they are not a perfect solution and require further research to fully assess their impact on both the environment and human health.

The Microplastics and Human Health panel highlighted the urgent need to address this issue, bringing together experts from diverse fields to explore the pervasive presence of microplastics and their effects on human health. In the next instalment of this series, we will delve deeper into the health risks posed by microplastics and what science has discovered so far. Stay tuned!

Microplastics on Human Health – Part 1: Understanding the Problem Read More »