FAQ

We recognise the presence of microplastics is a fact. Whilst their presence does not necessarily imply risk to human health, this is a concern for many, particularly as the scientific data on microplastics is rapidly evolving. While the risk to human health remains uncertain, our focus centres on both increasing understanding and minimising exposure to mitigate any potential harm. Urgent measures are needed to tackle this issue; these should be based on sound science and on an evidence-based risk assessment. Microplastic science is extremely complex, and knowledge gaps exist. The available scientific literature does not address all of the data gaps, and often presents limitations in experimental design and choice of testing materials. For these reasons, the plastic industry has launched the Brigid project: we aim to reduce the data gaps still present around microplastics and human health and perform a risk assessment of relevant and realistic plastics.

With an annual global production of 359 million tonnes in 2018, plastic is the third most abundant man-made material after steel and concrete.
However, the presence of microplastics, resulting in particular from the natural wear and tear of plastics like many other materials, has been underestimated. This reminds us of the ongoing challenge of plastic waste and circularity.

Scientists have not yet fully understood whether microplastic exposure has an effect on humans, and research on MP exposure and potential risk for humans is complex, presenting a myriad of gaps in our scientific understanding.

Many of the available scientific literature on the issue of microplastics presents limitations in experimental design and choice of testing materials, which could lead to inadvertent positive or negative bias in research findings. Plastics Europe has made its current priority to establish reliably if the presence of microplastic particles in humans causes any harm, and, if so, to quantify it. That’s why we have launched a multimillion-euro, six-year (2022-2027) independent scientific research project: Brigid.

Brigid will assess the potential risk to human health caused by ingesting microplastics. This risk assessment is based on both pre-existing scientific literature and on the results of an experimental plan developed by our scientific experts. This plan is three-tiered, testing the effects of microplastics at the cellular, tissular, and organismal level. The microplastics used in these studies are micronised versions of commercial polymer grades supplied by our members, guaranteeing a close representation of microplastics found in the real-world.

This project aims to assess the potential risks to human health from microplastic exposure through ingestion. Ingestion, along with inhalation, is hypothesised to be the main entrance pathway of microplastics into our bodies.

Brigid will specifically focus on the presence and potential risk to human health caused by ingesting microplastic particles derived from the use of everyday plastic objects.

Microplastics come from a variety of sources, such as wear and tear of synthetic textiles (including laundering), tire tread and road wear, marine paints, plastic consumer products and processing, plastic litter degradation, city dust, and personal care and cosmetic products. Our aim is to answer important questions about the potential effect of microplastics on humans, and, in the process, contribute to the development of evidence-based and effective policy making.

Brigid aims to assess the presence of any potential risk for human health caused by exposure to MPs through ingestion. Plastics Europe endorses the publication of the scientific results of the individual studies planned and conducted within Brigid in peer review publications, preferably with open access. The results of the risk assessment will be publicly shared via a number of means (e.g. peer-reviewed publication, technical report, etc). The outcomes will further be communicated in accessible terms for a non-technical audience.
Brigid has five objectives, integrated into six working packages, all of which aim to assess the presence and any potential risk for human health caused by ingestion of microplastic particles.

While we cannot pre-emptively assess the results, some of the specific outputs we expect from the project include (1) a computer model that will simulate how many microplastic particles are ingested each year by the average person in an industrialised country and (2) insight into whether microplastic particles are able to cross biological barriers, such as the intestinal wall.

This information will be used to inform on and better understand the risk to human health via a risk assessment and if required to devise mitigation measures.

The results of the risk assessment will be publicly shared via a number of means (e.g. peer-reviewed publication, technical report, etc). The outcomes will further be communicated in accessible terms for a non-technical audience.

Plastics Europe’s members trust the independent scientific experts and their proposed approach leading to the results obtained by this research project. We commit to support scientifically valid future findings: these will help our members in developing strategies to tackle microplastics going forward.

The researchers were selected after a thorough evaluation process carried out by the scientific experts of Plastics Europe’s member companies. This evaluation was based on previous work, number and quality of scientific publications, and on the proposal(s) presented. The experiments within the Brigid working packages will be performed by a Consortium of independent Partners: internationally recognised scientists from both private and public research institutes, such as the Wageningen University and Research (WUR) and the Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek (TNO) in the Netherlands.

The researchers for each of the different elements of Brigid were selected after a thorough evaluation process carried out by the scientific experts of Plastics Europe’s member companies. This evaluation was based on previous work, number and quality of scientific publications, and on the proposal(s) presented.

For research into the presence of microplastics in human stool, Brigid is working with the same scientific team behind the original, ground-breaking study from Schwabl and collaborators (2018). This work has been often cited but, up to now, never reattempted or replicated.

All the experiments will be performed in accordance with protocols that follow relevant international scientific criteria and technical guidelines.

Plastics Europe will not interfere with or seek to influence the results of these experiments; the results of which will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

Brigid also has an Advisory Board of 11 independent members, bringing their different backgrounds – science, policy, NGO and governmental agencies – and perspectives together to recommend and advise on further steps.

The project has a total foreseen cost of 4.6M EUR for a duration of six years, and it is funded directly by the member companies of Plastics Europe.

The project has an Advisory Board, composed by 11 members. These members are fully independent from Plastics Europe and its member companies; they come from different backgrounds (academic research, policymaking). The role of this Advisory Board is to provide a wider perspective on Brigid’s course and results (both for scientific and policy matters), in the form of advisory comments.

The experiments within Brigid are conducted by independent, internationallyecognised scientists from both public and private research institutions. The experiments will be performed in accordance with protocols that follow relevant international scientific criteria and technical guidelines. Plastics Europe will not interfere with or seek to influence the results of these experiments; the results of which will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

All scientists involved in Brigid will publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals, preferably with open access; in no way can Plastics Europe or its members veto the publication of Brigid’s findings. The Brigid final report will be made available at the end of the project (2027) on Brigid’s website.

Brigid is part of a larger, global initiative by the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA), called MARII, which is the Microplastics Advanced Research and Innovation Initiative. MARII is a partnership amongst different regional associations (American Chemistry Council (ACC), Cefic, Japanese Chemical Industry Association (JCIA. This initiative aims to present the various industry-sponsored microplastic-focused scientific research initiatives, whilst coordinating on identifying knowledge gaps in this space and ways to address these gaps – with the long-term objective of answering the pending questions on microplastics, basing on these answers a comprehensive and evidence-based risk assessment for both humans, biota, and the environment.

Depending on the results obtained within Brigid, the scientific team behind the project’s experimental program will prioritise future areas of microplastic research, launching further initiatives where needed. It is important to note that Brigid will not be a unique initiative, but rather a part of the ongoing roadmap towards a better understanding of the microplastics issue – ultimately leading to transparency and implementable solutions if needed.