"Pioneering" research begins into the effects of microplastics on human health

Researchers at the Water Research Centre (WRc) have embarked on a study to establish greater precision in the understanding of the effects on human health, of microscopic particles of plastic (microplastics) that pervade our food, drinking water and air.

According to RSK-owned WRc the study is the “first of its kind” and its lead scientist, WRc technical director of toxicology, Dr Nabil Hajji, said “it will establish pioneering guidelines to inform and guide other much-needed global research in this area.”

The research will look to develop computer models that can establish links between the chemical structures of microplastics and toxicity. This work will be followed by “test-tube” (in vitro) analysis with human tissue models to assess how microplastics interact with biological material. The WRc researchers will study “more than a thousand water samples” including drinking water samples, from various parts of the UK.

WRc said “the impact of microplastics on human health is currently poorly understood due to an extremely limited evidence base.”

The research was endorsed and part-funded by Innovate UK and the UK government and “will be a crucial forerunner to any regulatory powers needed to tackle microplastics’ presence in our food and drinking water,” WRc said.