MONPLAS · The training of early stage researchers for the development of technologies to monitor concentrations of micro and nanoplastics in water for their presence, uptake and threat to animal and human life.

The training of early stage researchers for the development of technologies to monitor concentrations of micro and nanoplastics in water for their presence, uptake and threat to animal and human life.

Micro and nanoplastics (MNPs) have recently been found in our soil, tap water, bottled water, beer and even in the air we breathe, with a growing concern about the potential health risks they pose to us. Which is why there was an urgent need for more research on their toxicity and a new EC drinking water directive was published in 2020 with a view an eventual requirement for water companies to measure concentrations of microplastics (MP) for positive release and inspection according to soon to be published ISO standard. The use of existing sophisticated scientific laboratory equipment to do so is prohibitively expensive for many companies across Europe and so there was therefore also a need to develop suitable technologies for robust, easy to use and low cost monitoring instruments, as well as train engineers for method development and operation. Given these multiple technical and analytical challenges, and that global production of plastic, that can take hundreds of years to biodegrade, is expected to triple by 2050; the timely four-year Initial Training Network of MONPLAS was with the following project objectives: 1. to improve our ability to detect, trace the origin, determine the toxicity, and ultimately eliminate MNPs from water 2. to add to the limited data on MPs in water and beverages, as well as develop and standardise a method for the initial data taking (identity and shape) of NPs, so that uptake and effect on animal and human life can be studied through toxicokinetics and toxicity 3. to develop and subsequently commercialise state of the art detection technologies, applications and methodologies through the creation of a multi- and inter- disciplinary network spanning different sectors. A little over four years later, of which a half took place during COVID19, from leveraging advances in Lab on Chip and Machine Learning, it has successfully addressed all 3 providing: • Its 14 ESRs with the skills and knowledge to develop state of art technologies that will lead to robust, easy to use and low cost in line instruments for MNP monitoring,three of which have been taken commercially up by its 8 equipment manufacturers and end-users. • 14 theses already/to be defended as well as 30 peer reviewed publications, four roundtable discussions, two satellite workshops organised and innumerous outreach events to raise popular awareness of MNPs and the interest of women in STEM. • >15 project proposals to further advance technologies and their applications for MNP monitoring

Data: CORDIS, © European Union