ZonMw call Microplastics & Health published

ZonMw has published the previously announced call Microplastics & Health. Deadline of submissions is September 20, 2018. The general aim to gain insight into possible health threats and the biological mechanisms that might be involved when humans are exposed to small plastic particles via oral or inhalation routes. The budget available is € 1.08 million. ZonMw funds up to of € 100,000 per project, or € 120,000 in case of international collaboration and a foreign participant as coapplicant.

To achieve the general aim, research groups with different expertise need to join forces and collaborate in multidisciplinary teams. There are three sub-aims:

• To gain data on the kinetics (uptake, distribution, excretion, accumulation) of different environmental small plastic particles –with particles as they are likely to occur in the environment- in healthy target groups of the human population and/or relevant for health-compromised target groups. Bioavailability can be part of studies;
• To investigate potential (toxic) effects of small plastic particles on human physiology and immunology (cell or organ level) in healthy and/or health-compromised target groups. The emphasis should be on particles as they are likely to occur in the environment. Additional substances – either adsorbed/ chemically bound at the particle surface (POP, heavy metals) or part of the particle (additives, plasticizers) - are relevant for toxicological effects, however the emphasis should be on particle toxicity and not just on microplastic mediated chemical toxicity. Full chemical characterisation of the ´environmental´ particles can be part of the project;
• To investigate the potential health risks of microbiological hazards: pathogens on plastic substrates. These particles may potentially introduce existing diseases through new infection routes into areas or niches where they are new and potentially stimulate the global spread of diseases. Plastic material provides a habitat for disease vectors and this should be characterised with data collection from the field, combining microbial analyses with disease statistics.