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Image: Sebastian, stock.adobe.com

Micro- and nanoplastics: currently no widespread risk to humans and environment, but situation could change if pollution continues

This is the verdict of a report of leading scientific experts in an interdisciplinary project of European academies. The scientists investigated what is, what is partially and what is not known about micro- and nanoplastics, i.e. tiny particles under 5mm in length, in both nature and society. Their report suggests that microplastics in the environment and in several components of the human diet do not cause harm, given the concentration levels. Meanwhile, the evidence is less certain with regard to the effects of nanoplastics, which are very difficult to measure.

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Image: Valery Evlakhov, stock.adobe.com

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Dr. Roger Pfister
Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences
House of Academies
PO Box
3001 Bern
Switzerland