TY - CONF A1 - Altmann, Korinna T1 - PlasticTrace WP1 – Stakeholder Workshop N2 - The talk summarizes the achievments of WP1 of the PlasticTrace project. Microplastic reference materials were developed by producing tablets. Different preparation methods were compared. Characterisation of the tablets was done after filtration with µFTIR, QCL, µRaman, Py-GC/MS and TED-GC/MS after ISO standards ISO 16094-2 and ISO/FDIS 16094-3. Polymer types are polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate. T2 - Stakeholder Workshop PlasticsTrace CY - Online meeting DA - 09.09.2025 KW - Microplastics KW - Reference materials KW - TED-GC/MS KW - PET PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64258 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Miclea, P-T T1 - Evaluation of Toxicological Characteristics of Airborne Nano/Microplastic Particles From the Industrial Environment N2 - Micro and nano plastic (MNPs) particles and fibres represent a global scale contamination source with hazard potential. They can be identified all around our environment, even in air, soil and water. One of the major global MNPs polluters is the textile industry, which generates plastic particles (nylon, polyester, polyurethane, polyolefin, acrylic etc.) during the manufacturing processes. The study analyses the level of particle concentration outside a company that processes textile yarns, but also from the proximity of workplaces using an online air samplers with cascade and mono filter holders for silicon (Si) and quartz filters, respectively. A laser detector was used for real- time counting of particles of six size classes (PM0.3-PM10). Silicon (Si) filters with a diameter of 9 mm and pore sizes of 10 µm and 1 µm and quartz filters with a diameter of 25 mm and a pore size of 1.2 µm were used for particle sampling. A special holder was designed and made for selective sampling (PM10 and PM1.0) on Si filters. Quartz filters were pre-calcined (8000C) before collection. Sampling parameters: airflow (GilAir Plus pump) -2 l/m3, collection time -3 hours; starting time 7.00 am (T1)/2.00 pm (T2), intermittent natural ventilation, average temperature and humidity: 23.3 0C, RH: 52.5%. The weight of particles collected (µg) on the quart filters was 4.9E-05 (T1) and 5.1E-05 (T2) and on the Si filters 3,2 E-05(T1) and 5E-06(T2). The total number of the outside particles (PM0,3-PM10) was situated between 3584,58 (T1)-15165,05(T2) and inside 9901(T1) and 12921,61(T2). The highest number of PM 10 particles inside was 72/m3 and of PM0.3 particles 71979/m3. The samples were characterized using electron microscopy and µRaman spectroscopy. All samples showed a high concentration of particles on the filter. Samples show only particles with irregular shapes. The equivalent particle diameter was for PM10: 1-5 µm and PM1<1 µm. The total Ion Chromatogram shows the presence of PET-type polymer and the TED GS-MS analysis shows that the weight of the collected particles is PET. After extracting the particles from the quartz filters, they were tested for evaluation of the cytotoxic potential of preparations on human monocyte-macrophage cell cultures and peripheral lymphocytes. In the first case, the level of cytotoxicity was at the border between non-cytotoxic and cytotoxic and in the second test the result was moderate cytotoxic. T2 - SETAC Europe 2025 CY - Vienna, Austria DA - 11.05.2025 KW - Microplastics KW - TED-GC/MS KW - Nanoplastics KW - Raman microscopy PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-63378 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Altmann, Korinna T1 - Harmonisation efforts of the CUSP projects N2 - The talk is about harmonisation approaches within CUSP. First the five H2020 projects for research on risk assessment regarding microplastics topic were presented. Secondly, harmonisation process were discussed. T2 - VAMAS SC 47 Meeting CY - Turin, Italy DA - 19.10.2022 KW - Microplastics KW - Harmonisation KW - Nanoplastics KW - H2020 KW - Risk assessment PY - 2022 AN - OPUS4-56077 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Braun, U. T1 - Analysis of Microplastics in Soil: Harmonisation and Standardisation - a first approach N2 - The talk is about microplastics in soil. Some results were presented with mainly state of the art according to microplastics in standardization. T2 - International Conference Microplastics in Soils CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 19.10.2022 KW - Microplastics KW - Microplastics standardisation KW - Microplastics in soil PY - 2022 AN - OPUS4-56078 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Altmann, Korinna T1 - What can thermoanalytical methods do for you ? N2 - This presentation summarizes outcomes of the CUSP projects POLYRISK and PlasticsFatE according to thermoanalytical methods.It highlights the importants of analytical methods to measure physical and chemical properties of the test materials. These informations are neccessary for interpretation of the toxicological test results. T2 - CUSP conference CY - Utrecht, Netherlands DA - 14.09.2023 KW - Microplastics KW - TED-GC/MS KW - CUSP KW - Polymer 3R KW - Thermoanalytical methods PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-58312 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schmitt, M. A1 - Altmann, Korinna A1 - Fengler, Petra A1 - Gehde, M. T1 - Air-based polyethylene fragmentation with high yield to form microplastic particles as reference material candidates N2 - Microplastic particles with sizes between 1 to 1000 μm are widely distributed worldwide. Origin, transport pathways and fate are poorly known, as sampling, sample preparation and detection methods are major challenges. In addition, reference materials that mimic environmental particles are lacking. Most challenging is the yield of MP particle production and the need for resource-intensive grinding with liquid nitrogen. In this paper, a machine is designed to produce aged microplastic particles as reference material candidates with high yield. The machine is based on ultraviolet aging of a thin foil and mechanical fragmentation using clean air. An example of aging and fragmentation of high density polyethylene with additional physical and chemical characterization of shape, size, aging state by carbonyl index and density is presented. KW - Microplastics KW - Degradation of polyethylene KW - Air fragmentation KW - Microplastics reference material PY - 2023 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/appl.202200121 SP - 1 EP - 18 PB - Wiley online library AN - OPUS4-57203 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Cirkovic Velickovic, T. A1 - Altmann, Korinna A1 - Dailey, L T1 - CUSP Conference WG1 & WG3: MATERIALS AND METHODS N2 - This talk is a presentation about the main results of the CUSP cluster on micro- and nanoplastics human health that work from 2021 to 2025 in Horizon Europe programme according to the WG1 and 3. These groups combined the analytics and the materials with interlaboratory comparisons (ILC). The talk reflects the need of realistic test materials with defined properties for micro- and nanoplastic research. Some were developed are now available. The talk also highlights the need for harmonisation and the results of different ILCs that were performed. T2 - CUSP conference CY - Brussels, Belgium DA - 25.02.2025 KW - Microplastics KW - Reference materials KW - Interlaboratory comparison (ILC) PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-62703 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Altmann, Korinna T1 - Release of synthetic fibres during washing of typical household textiles: Findings from washing machine tests and resulting policy recommendations N2 - This talk summarizes the experimental setup and the results of one washing experiment under realistic conditions according to microplastic fiber release. T2 - Tackling microplastics in the environment CY - Brussels, Belgium DA - 09.03.2023 KW - Microplastics KW - Fibers of textile origin KW - Washing machine KW - Microplastic fibre release PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-57204 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Wiesner, Yosri T1 - Metrological Observation of the Stability Performance of Reference Materials for Microplastic Analysis N2 - The formation of microplastic (MP) particles (1-1000 µm) is mostly related to physicochemical degradation processes of macroplastics. Photooxidative damage is often set as the initial degradation process, which leads to embrittlement of the plastics. Mechanical processes then lead to further fragmentation and the formation of MP particles. In the environment, this can be associated with UV exposure through direct radiation from the sun, which leads to radical formation in the polymer systems on the one hand and radical formation of oxygen on the other. The result is material embrittlement usually caused by chain shortening in the polymeric system. Due to specific ecosystem conditions, the damaged polymer is fragmented by erosive, abrasive processes or wave action. According to reference material topic for MP analysis, pristine and artificially weathered polymers are needed. Starting from granulate or macroplastics, these can be pulverised with different techniques, bottled and stored until usage. The bottled powders need to be homogen and stable over a defined time interval regarding to a specific property. This work deals with different polymer types, aged and non-aged. It tries to answer the question under which storage conditions polymers will be stable in particle size. The powders are characterized for chemical composition and shape with FTIR, DSC and SEM. Particle size distribution was measured by laser diffraction with wet and dry dispersion. Artificially pre-aged materials seem to be more vulnerable for further aging and less stable in particle size distribution measurements. T2 - SETAC Dublin– SETAC Europe 33nd Annual Meeting CY - Dublin, Ireland DA - 30.04.2023 KW - Reference material KW - Microplastics KW - Metrological Observation PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-57475 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Lukas, M. T1 - Artificial Plastic Ageing as a Framework for Microplastics Ecotoxicity Evaluation N2 - Microplastics are widely distributed in aquatic and terrestrial environments, up to now less is known on toxicological impacts under realistic conditions. Research so far has focused mainly on the impacts on organisms by fresh plastic fragments or beats. However, plastic materials found in the environment are mainly a mixture of different polymers and particularly degraded during aging processes. Although especially oxidized degradation products might escape from plastic materials during aging, there is a lack of information on potentially adverse effects on aquatic biota. The latter is of particular interest as oxidized chemicals become more water soluble due to higher polarity and are more bio-available, therefore. The present study focussed on plastic leachates of polystyrene (PS) and polylactic acid (PLA), which were derived from alternating stress by hydrolysis and UV radiation. Test specimen of PS, PLA or PS/PLA blends (each 50 %) were alternatingly maintained in water at 45 °C for five days and UV radiated at 45 °C for two days, for in total six weeks. Ecotoxicological effects of potentially generated degradation products of plastic materials in the storage water (mineral water, pH: 7.2) were detected by algae growth inhibition tests with Desmodesmus suspicatus and photosystem II inhibition tests with Raphidocelis subcapitata. Results clearly indicate inhibitory effects on algae growth by contaminants in the storage water of stressed plastic materials with increasing growth inhibition of proceeding hydrolysis and UV stress times. Here, different plastics cause variable responses of algal growth. First chemical analyses indicate dissolved monomers and their oxidation products of plastic materials as possible driver of detected ecotoxicological effects, since detected microplastic particles do not seem to harm algae. The existing data highlight the relevance of plastic aging as a framework for microplastic ecotoxicity evaluation and allow a proof of concept. T2 - SETAC 2023 CY - Dublin, Ireland DA - 30.04.2023 KW - Microplastics KW - Ecotoxicity KW - Plastic aging KW - Algae growth inhibition tests PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-57501 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Miclea, P.-T. T1 - Real-life airborne micro- and nano-plastic particles and fibres on a porous membrane filter system from a textile factory suitable for both: vibrational and mass spectrometry N2 - The poster presents an application of Si wafer filter system on indoor air sampling. A textile factory producing PP fibres was sampled. T2 - SETAC Europe 2023 CY - Dublin, Ireland DA - 30.04.2023 KW - Microplastics KW - Polymer 3R KW - Textile fibres KW - Si wafer filter KW - Microplastics sampling PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-57462 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Altmann, Korinna T1 - Material Selection Strategy N2 - This poster is a summary of the material used in the PlasticsFatE project. It indicates the strategies for testing of various polymer properties next to each other according to risk and hazard assessment. T2 - CUSP annual meeting and conference CY - Utrecht, Netherlands DA - 12.09.2023 KW - Microplastics KW - CUSP KW - Material selection PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-58311 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Altmann, Korinna T1 - Current projects in risk assessment and harmonisation N2 - The talk gives an overview about EU projects currently running for risk assessment and harmonisation in microplastic analysis. T2 - Micro- and Nanoplastics CY - Halle (Saale), Germany DA - 01.11.2023 KW - Microplastics KW - Harmonisation in microplastics KW - Polymer 3R PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-58766 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Visileanu, E. T1 - Methods for the collection and characterization of airborne particles in the textile industry N2 - The presentation summarizes possibilities to sample airborne micro and nanoplastic particles. An example of a textil company is shown. T2 - 5th International Conference on Human Systems Engineering and Design: Future Trends and Applications (IHSED 2023 CY - Dubrovnik, Croatia DA - 27.09.2023 KW - Microplastics KW - Polymer 3R KW - Textile company PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-58561 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Rossi, A T1 - Lactose Tablets as Suitable Microplastics Reference Material to Support Validation Studies and Quality Control N2 - One of the main challenges in validating microplastics detection methods is the lack of suitable reference materials that accurately reflect the properties of interest. To bridge this gap, the EU-funded PlasticTrace project has developed water-soluble tablets containing precisely defined amounts of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) particles. Each tablet includes a specific mass (0.2, 18.5, or 400 µg) and particle count (151 or 1764, measured via Raman spectroscopy). Production follows a rigorous solid-phase dilution process, ensuring high reproducibility and quality control. The PET particles used in these tablets have an average size of approximately 40 µm, with a range between 10 and 200 µm, and an irregular, stone-like shape. All measurements align with ISO/TC 147/SC 2 standardization efforts and adhere to ISO/DIS 16094-2 and ISO/DIS 16094-3. To assess tablet homogeneity, the most widely accepted microplastics detection techniques, i.e. µ-FTIR, µ-Raman, Py-GC/MS, and TED-GC/MS, were applied. Different batches were produced, each containing varying particle numbers and masses, reaching the detection limits of the methods used. The results demonstrated excellent consistency between tablets, successfully passing homogeneity tests. Furthermore, no significant changes were observed in the tablets' composition or stability after six months of storage. This innovative reference material represents an important advancement in microplastics analysis, supporting laboratories in meeting EU Commission requirements for the monitoring of microplastics in drinking water and wastewater with greater accuracy and reliability. The production process can be transferred for other plastic particles is this size range. T2 - BERM 16 CY - Halifax, Canada DA - 01.06.2025 KW - Microplastics KW - TED-GC/MS KW - Reference materials KW - Raman microscopy PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-63403 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Fernández-González, V. T1 - Innovations in Microplastic Measurement: A Pyrolysis Approach for a Polyethylene Terephthalate Reference Material N2 - In the framework of the PlasticTrace project, in which a reference material for PET microplastics will be proposed, a method using pyrolysis and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry detection (Py-GC-MS) is developed to quantify the mass of PET microplastics (10-100 µm) in tablets at two different concentration levels. The overall aim of this project is to develop international metrological capacity that enables the traceable measurement and characterization of SMPs and NPs in environmental and food samples and the production of suitable reference materials, according to the metrological requirements (https://plastictrace.eu/). The proposed method consists of dissolving the tablet containing the PET microplastics in milli-Q water and filtering the solution using a glass microfiber membrane 13 mm filter size, 1.6 µm pore size. After filtering and several washes to ensure complete dissolution of the tablet and recovery of all PET microplastics, the filter is removed, folded, and placed in a capsule of the pyrolyzer for direct Py-GC/MS analysis. Two main markers were selected for PET quantification: vinyl benzoate and benzoic acid, with consistent concentrations found for both at high PET concentrations (≈400 µg) (24% RSD, n=17), but interferences with the matrix and vinyl benzoate were found at low concentrations (≈17 µg PET), with only benzoic acid being valid as a marker in this case (22% RSD, n=10). As an alternative to the quantification of PET microplastics in tablets at low concentrations, derivatization is proposed, for which tetramethylammonium hydroxide solution (TMAH) is added directly into the pyrolysis cap. The PET marker in this case is dimethyl terephthalate, with which good results have also been found (19.6% RSD, n=10 ). The proposed method is robust, simple, with high automation and very little sample handling and treatment, and allows the analysis of PET microplastics (>10 µm) in tablets with excellent accuracy and precision even at very low concentrations. T2 - SETAC Europe 2025 CY - Vienna, Austria DA - 11.05.2025 KW - Microplastics KW - Nanoplastics KW - GC/MS PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-63383 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Kühnel, D. T1 - Micro and nanoplastics (MNP) a wish list for reliable determination of the risks for humans N2 - The assessment of risks to human health from micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) and their associated chemicals is hampered by significant uncertainties and data gaps regarding human exposure, biological fate and potential health effects. There is also a notable lack of validated test MNPs, natural particles to serve as reference controls, and lack of harmonised toxicological assessment methods specifically designed for the unique properties of MNPs. These limitations contribute to data scarcity and further complicate exposure and hazard assessment for MNP and their associated chemicals. The European research cluster CUSP (https://cusp-research.eu/) aims to fill these gaps by providing reliable data and suggests approaches for assessing human exposure and health risks associated with MNPs and their associated chemicals, including contaminants. As part of this initiative, five projects address the health risks of MNPs from different perspectives, focusing on different exposure pathways and health effects. In particular, the PlasticsFatE project (https://www.plasticsfate.eu/) structures the data requirements and developes strategies to overcome both general and material-specific barriers to MNP in hazard and risk assessment. Based on safety research on engineered nanomaterials, which has shown that it is impossible to experimentally test all MNP variants and their chemical mixtures, CUSP emphasises the need for pragmatic approaches. These approaches aim to effectively utilize knowledge from nanomaterial research, emphasize the reuse of generated data on fate and effects of MNPs, as well as identify and address data and knowledge gaps along with uncertainties, while considering the specific properties of MNPs and test approaches. This poster provides a structured overview of the current challenges in the risk assessment of micro- and nanoplastics and introduces the first step of categorising the different types of obstacles. Specific strategies to overcome these different types of challenges will be presented. T2 - SETAC Europe 2025 CY - Vienna, Austria DA - 11.05.2025 KW - Microplastics KW - Nanoplastics PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-63385 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Booth, A. T1 - Production of a 1-10 μm polypropylene reference material for development of analytical methods N2 - The poster is about the preparation of microplastics in the size range of 1-10 µm. These size range of particles can be inhalded and therefore be toxic for humans. The preparation is done by comminution of PP pellets and sieving. Characterisation occured for size with laser diffraction, for type with FTIR and for shape with SEM. T2 - SETAC Europe 2025 CY - Vienna, Austria DA - 11.05.2025 KW - Microplastics KW - Reference materials PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-63367 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Miclea, P.-T. T1 - Novel laser pre-structured silicon filters for microplastics analysis N2 - This research presents a novel laser-assisted approach to silicon filter fabrication, offering an effective alternative to traditional photolithographic processes. By integrating selective femtosecond laser irradiation with photoelectrochemical etching, we achieved precisely controlled pore geometries, overcoming common challenges in filter production for microplastic and nanoscale filtration suitable for microplastic number and mass analysis. T2 - SETAC Europe 2025 CY - Vienna, Austria DA - 11.05.2025 KW - Microplastics KW - Nanoplastics KW - Raman microspectroscopy PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-63384 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Putzu, Mara T1 - Optimization of production process for microplastics reference materials N2 - Microplastics (MP) are defined as plastic particles mainly consisting of polymers in the size range of 1 to 1000 µm. They can be found in a wide range of environmental matrices but also in food products, indicating a potential risk on humans and environment. Plastic debris in the environment or food chain are extremely complex in terms of size, concentration, polymer type, levels of physiochemical degradation and undefined morphologies which makes their isolation and detection in complex matrices challenging. Analytical detection methods and techniques to identify and quantify microplastics in environmental and food matrices are numerous but validated and standardized methods are currently lacking. To close this research gap, reference materials (RMs) and representative sample preparation approaches are urgently needed. Homogeneity and stability are two crucial characteristics for the certification process of the reference materials. For this purpose, we aim to present ways to prepare reference materials containing very low masses of close-to reality plastic particles with broad size distribution (10-100 µm) that are homogeneously distributed in tablet-to-tablet variation and stable over time. Our work is based on the ISO Guide 30:2015 and ISO Guide 35:2017 to fulfil the criteria set in future standards ISO/DIS 16094-2 and ISO/DIS 16094-3. The property of interest will be the mass detected by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Furthermore, informative values will be achieved by mass-based technique TED-GC/MS and spectroscopic microscopy techniques, such as µ-FTIR spectroscopy and µ-Raman. T2 - SETAC Europe 2025 CY - Vienna, Austria DA - 11.05.2025 KW - Microplastics KW - Reference materials KW - TED-GC/MS PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-63386 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Jaffer, Yousuf Dar A1 - Abdolahpur Monikh, Fazel A1 - Nguyen, Nhung H.A. A1 - Sevcu, Alena A1 - Abdulkadir, Nafiu A1 - Raha, Jakub A1 - Katsumiti, Alberto A1 - Bilbao, Ainhoa A1 - Altman, Korinna A1 - Grossart, Hans-Peter T1 - Bio-based microplastics increase the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in aquatic environments N2 - The role of microplastics as vectors for horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is increasingly recognized. This study investigated whether bio-based microplastics, often promoted as environmentally friendly alternatives, exhibit similar or enhanced HGT potential compared to conventional plastics. We examined the HGT rates of the trimethoprim resistance gene (dfrA1) and tetracycline resistance gene (tetA), carried on a broad-host-range plasmid, among Escherichia coli (donor) and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Pseudomonas sp., or a natural lake microbial community (recipients). Four bio-based polymer types—polylactic acid (PLA) granules, commercial PLA, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) granules, and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV)- were compared with two conventional microplastics, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and bottle-derived HDPE. The bio-based microplastics exhibited significantly higher HGT frequencies, with a 21–48-fold increase compared to control chitosan in single-strain experiments and a 13-fold increase within the lake microbial community. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing revealed distinct bacterial community compositions colonizing different microplastic types in the lake water. The transconjugant communities, indicative of successful HGT events, were strongly influenced by microplastic type. While Nannocystis was generally dominant, the PLA (granule) microplastic exhibited a unique profile dominated by Candidatus Megaira and Niveispirillum. Additionally, Flavobacterium and Fluviicola were uniquely detected as transconjugants on HDPE (granule). These findings demonstrate that bioplastics have a significant influence on the selective enrichment of specific transconjugant genera, suggesting a prominent role of microplastics, particularly bio-based plastics, in shaping ARG dissemination within complex microbial ecosystems. We recommend a comprehensive risk assessment of bio-based plastics, particularly their potential to enhance the spread of ARGs, before their widespread implementation in consumer products. KW - Microplastics KW - Bioplastics KW - Conventional plastics KW - Antibiotik resistence gene PY - 2026 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-656293 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.impact.2026.100613 SN - 2452-0748 VL - 41 SP - 1 EP - 10 PB - Elsevier B.V. AN - OPUS4-65629 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Miclea, Paul T1 - Microanalysis of Airborne Nano/Microplastic Particles in an Textile Industrial Environment N2 - Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging global contaminants, present in air, soil, and water. The textile industry is potentially a major contributor, releasing synthetic particles like polyamide, polyester, and acrylic during production. This study assessed MNP levels outside and inside a textile-processing facility using online air samplers with silicon (Si) and quartz filters. Real-time particle counts (PM0.3–PM10) were obtained via a laser detector. Si filters (9 mm, 10/1 µm pores) and quartz filters (25 mm, 1.2 µm pores, pre-calcined at 800°C) were used for sampling. Custom holders allowed selective sampling for PM10 and PM1 on Si filters. Sampling conditions included a 3-hour collection at 2 L/min (GilAir Plus pump) starting at 7:00 AM (T1) and 2:00 PM (T2), with intermittent ventilation, 23.3 °C average temperature, and 52.5% humidity. Particle weights collected (µg) were: quartz – 4.9E-05 (T1), 5.1E-05 (T2); Si – 3.2E-05 (T1), 5E-06 (T2). Outside particle counts ranged from 3,584 (T1) to 15,165 (T2); inside: 9,901 (T1) to 12,921 (T2). Maximum indoor PM10 and PM0.3 levels were 72/m³ and 71,979/m³, respectively. Particles were analyzed using electron microscopy and µRaman spectroscopy, confirming high concentrations of irregularly shaped PP-based particles (1–5 µm). T2 - 12th TEXTEH CY - Bucharest, Romania DA - 23.10.2025 KW - Microplastics KW - Airborne particles KW - Raman microspectroscopy PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64485 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Monikh, F. A. A1 - Baun, A. A1 - Hartmann, N. B. A1 - Kortet, R. A1 - Akkanen, J. A1 - Lee, J.-S. A1 - Shi, H. A1 - Lahive, E. A1 - Uurasjärvi, E. A1 - Tufenkji, N. A1 - Altmann, Korinna A1 - Wiesner, Yosri A1 - Grossart, H.-P. A1 - Peijnenburg, W. A1 - Kukkonen, J. V. K. T1 - Exposure protocol for ecotoxicity testing of microplastics and nanoplastics N2 - Despite the increasing concern about the harmful effects of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs), there are no harmonized guidelines or protocols yet available for MNP ecotoxicity testing. Current ecotoxicity studies often use commercial spherical particles as models for MNPs, but in nature, MNPs occur in variable shapes, sizes and chemical compositions. Moreover, protocols developed for chemicals that dissolve or form stable dispersions are currently used for assessing the ecotoxicity of MNPs. Plastic particles, however, do not dissolve and also show dynamic behavior in the exposure medium, depending on, for example, MNP physicochemical properties and the medium’s conditions such as pH and ionic strength. Here we describe an exposure protocol that considers the particle-specific properties of MNPs and their dynamic behavior in exposure systems. Procedure 1 describes the top-down production of more realistic MNPs as representative of MNPs in nature and particle characterization (e.g., using thermal extraction desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry). Then, we describe exposure system development for short- and long-term toxicity tests for soil (Procedure 2) and aquatic (Procedure 3) organisms. Procedures 2 and 3 explain how to modify existing ecotoxicity guidelines for chemicals to target testing MNPs in selected exposure systems. We show some examples that were used to develop the protocol to test, for example, MNP toxicity in marine rotifers, freshwater mussels, daphnids and earthworms. The present protocol takes between 24 h and 2 months, depending on the test of interest and can be applied by students, academics, environmental risk assessors and industries. KW - Microplastics KW - TED-GC/MS KW - Cryo milling PY - 2023 DO - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41596-023-00886-9 SN - 1754-2189 SP - 1 EP - 38 PB - Nature Protocols AN - OPUS4-58557 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Altmann, Korinna T1 - ILC on Laser diffraction - preliminary results N2 - This presentation addresses an interlaboratory comparison on size of polymeric particles (microplastics) measured by laser diffraction. Two microplastic particles were measured separately and once as mixture. Evaluation was done with Fraunhofer and Mie. Here, the first results are presented. T2 - CUSP Annual Meeting CY - Utrecht, Netherlands DA - 12.09.2023 KW - Microplastics KW - Laser diffraction KW - Polymer 3R KW - Size distribution KW - Polymer size PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-58318 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Altmann, Korinna T1 - Validation of microplastics detection methods and proficiency testing: Suitable microplastic reference materials for interlaboratory comparison N2 - The talk summarizes challenges in microplastic analysis. It shows the preparation of microplastic reference materials as well as the testing on homogeneity and stability. The reference material is used in an international laboratory comparison to compare different detection methods used for microplastic analysis. The methods used were µ-IR (FTIR+LDIR) for number-based methods and TED-GC/MS and Py-GC/MS for mass-based methods. The ILC was done under the umbrella of VAMAS TWA 45. Results of the participants are presented. T2 - BAM Akademie CY - Online meeting DA - 16.05.2024 KW - Microplastics KW - Reference materials KW - ILC KW - Microplastics detection KW - TED-GC/MS KW - Polymer 3R PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-60085 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Drago, C. T1 - Standardization Methods for the Analysis of Microplastics (10 100µm) in Food Matrix: Sample Preparation and Digestion of Milk Powder. N2 - Monitoring of microplastics in food matrices is crucial to determinate the human exposure. By direct ingestion microplastics could be released in the food during the production, through packaging and by consumer’s use. The absence of standard methods to quantify and detect different size range and type of microplastics has led to difficult and time consuming procedural steps, poor accuracy and lack of comparability. In this work, matrix characterization and laboratory experiments were used to investigate the efficiency of sample preparation in milk powder. This information is crucial to compile a standard procedure for sample preparation and digestion of common milk powder to detect different particle sizes and types of polymers. Charaterisation is done by TGA and TOC measurements. T2 - SETAC Europe 2024 CY - Sevilla, Spain DA - 05.05.2024 KW - Microplastics KW - Harmonisation in microplastics KW - Polymer 3R KW - Microplastics in milk PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-60034 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Kittner, Maria T1 - Contaminant Emissions from Artificial Turf Sports Pitches - Simultaneous sampling for Microplastics, PAH and Heavy Metals N2 - In September 2023, the European Commission introduced a new regulation to reduce microplastic (MP) emissions into the environment, including the sale and use of intentionally added (large) MP < 5 mm (ISO/TR 21960: 2020). This explicitly applies to the use of synthetic rubber granulate infill in artificial turf installations, which are complex multi-component systems consisting of multiple synthetic polymers (Fig. 1). In addition, abrasions of synthetic grass fibres and other turf components are also considered as MP sources. Although this has a major impact on public recreational sports, there is so far no sufficient data to estimate the MP emissions from artificial turf sports pitches into the environment and thus their relevance as a source of MP pollution. To close this gap, this study compared environmental contaminant emissions of three artificial turf scenarios at different ageing states (unaged, artificially and real-time aged): the past (old turf: fossil based, synthetic infill), present (most commonly installed in Germany: fossil based, EPDM infill) and future (turf with recycled grass fibres, no synthetic infill). Accelerated ageing by UV weathering and mechanical stress was carried out to simulate the outdoor weathering during the lifespan of approx. 15 years. MP emissions and released environmentally relevant contaminants posing a risk to the groundwater were simultaneously sampled using the newly developed Microplastic Eluate Lysimeter manufactured at BAM (Fig. 2). MP contents were analysed using smart microfilter crucibles (mesh size: 5 μm) with subsequent MP detection by TED-GC/MS. Additionally, concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were determined using GC/MS and heavy metals using ICP-AES. T2 - 22nd European Symposium on Polymer Spectroscopy (ESOPS) CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 08.09.2024 KW - Microplastics Eluate Lysimeter KW - Microplastics KW - TED-GC/MS KW - Heavy Metals KW - PAH PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-61013 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Miclea, Paul-Tiberiu T1 - Membrane filter cascade for size-selective analysis of nano-and micro particles N2 - From a metrological point of view, the analysis of micro and nanoplastics MNP requires not only representative and meaningful methods for sampling, preparation, and detection, but also defined and reproducible analytical procedures for the processes and materials used. For such a validation of the detection procedures (including the determination of process and laboratory blank values), the filters and laboratory conditions used in interaction with the final MNP measurement play a central role for detection limits regarding MNP size, MNP content and statistical measurement control, in addition to the reference materials mentioned above. On the basis of available filtration materials (e.g. metal mesh, silicon, aluminum oxide, polycarbonate) and metrological boundary conditions, key aspects for metrologically sound method development must be defined. Two key categories of analysis are developed for the characterization of MNP’s: analytical methods (e.g. µ-IR spectroscopy, µRaman) and mass spectrometry (eg. Py-GC/MS or TED-GC/MS). If in the first category the shape, size, number of particles and the size distribution present in the samples can be determined. In the second category the mass of the material can be measured and the volume of plastic present in the samples can be deduced from this. Both catagories are very sensitive in terms of the volume of material that can be analyzed; vibrational methods can detect single particles but mass-based method require enough particles to reach the limit of detection. That is why in this study we propose a filtration system, which in our opinion brings the two categories much closer to each other and allows true measurements of particle number and mass of the same sample. In this way it is possible not only to estimate the volume of plastic in the sample, but also to determine with much greater precision the number of particles and the type of plastic present. Furthermore, new methods for particle detection can be added and combined with existing methods. Our proposed system can be used for a single filter, but also for the use of several filters in cascade. In this way a separation of particles by size can be achieved. T2 - 13th Annual World Congress of Nano Science & Technology 2024 CY - Osaka, Japan DA - 22.05.2024 KW - Microplastics KW - Si filters KW - Filtration KW - Polymer 3R PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-61097 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Drago, Claudia T1 - Rapid sample preparation to detect microplastics in baby milk powder N2 - Microplastics, ubiquitous as it is, could be released into food during production chain, through packaging and by consumer´s use. To determinate human exposure to microplastics is crucial to monitor microplastics in food matrices. The current absence of standard sample preparation procedures to identify and quantify different microplastics according to number and mass have generate time-consuming protocols and lack of comparability among different analytical methods, laboratories and time scales. Monitoring microplastics in complex matrices as food, and in particular in baby milk powder, requires an accurate approach that need to be validate, to ensure the comparability of results. Bottled drinking water or surface waters, for example, can be measured with mass-based methods (TED-GC/MS or Py-GC/MS) directly after filtration. Baby milk powder, instead is more challenging, due to the proteins and fatty acid that clog the filters and contaminate the measuring devices with heavy carry over. In this study, we characterize the baby milk powder by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and we tested different treatments for matrix reduction: water, H2O2, citric acids. In particular, the use of citric acid was tested for protein reduction before filtration. Our hypothesis was that citric acid will induce the precipitation of proteins and amino acids, leading to a strong matrix reduction. In fact, this sample pre treatment, allowed us to use a higher intake, necessary for representative quantification. Finally, the milk powder was spiked with reference material tablets containing polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The PET was not degraded by the citric acid and high recovery rate was achieved by TED-GC/MS and Py-GC/MS methods. Considering the simplicity and accessibility of this sample preparation and its robust results, this procedure could be easily proposed as a simple sample preparation approach to monitor microplastics by mass-based methods. T2 - MICRO 2024 CY - Arrecife, Spain DA - 23.09.2024 KW - Microplastics KW - Milk KW - Polymer 3R KW - TED-GC/MS PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-61273 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Altmann, Korinna T1 - Round Table for Expert Stakeholders​ - The Transfer of Research into Policy and Regulation N2 - This talk gives an overwiew about the material and physico chemical characterisation of materials developed for the EU founded project PlasticsFate. Particles in 1st and 2nd sample set are presented next to their characterisatin and documentation in data sheets. Some materials are prepared for reference material and used in an interlaboratory comparison. Results are briefly discussed. T2 - Stakeholder Workshop PlasticsFate CY - Bühl, Germany DA - 17.09.2024 KW - Microplastics KW - Reference materials KW - Polymer 3R KW - Interlaboratory comparison PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-61088 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Bauer, J. A1 - Miclea, P.-T. A1 - Braun, U. A1 - Altmann, Korinna A1 - Turek, M. A1 - Hagendorf, C. T1 - Microplastic detection and analysis in water samples N2 - Microplastic detection in water samples becomes important for tracing microplastic sources. Microplastic may harm desalination facilities by blocking filters and disturbing the marine food chain. Thermo analytical methods such as pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectroscopy, and spectroscopic methods like (micro) Raman spectroscopy or (micro) Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy in combination with appropriate filters and sample preparation are suitable for analyzing microplastics on a scale from 1 µm to 1000 µm fast and unambiguous. While the thermo analytical methods are suitable for larger sample volumes, Raman spectroscopy and Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy are able to detect and analyze single microplastic particles for instance in bottled water. Machine learning algorithms ensure a reliable classification of different plastic materials. T2 - International Conference on Sustainable Energy-Water-Environment Nexus in Desert Climate 2019 CY - Ar-Rayyan, Qatar DA - 02.12.2019 KW - Microplastics KW - Water samples PY - 2022 SP - 111 EP - 113 PB - Springer AN - OPUS4-56240 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Altmann, Korinna T1 - Reference material candidates for microplastic analysis N2 - Every day, there are new headlines in the media about microplastics (1-1000 µm, ISO/TR 21960:2020) and nanoplastics (< 1 µm, ISO/TR 21960:2020) findings all over the planet with high variations in particle number and mass. The challenges in analytics are very complex, e.g. representative sampling, non-destructive sample preparation with concentrated particles and homogeneous distribution and true detection. All together lead to lacks in harmonization and results, which are hardly comparable. On the other hand, monitoring of microplastics is mandatory in the future strictly regulated by the EU commission in the Drinking water and Wastewater Framework Directive. One step to accurate and precise results will be the development of suitable reference materials mimicking particles in the environment. BAM developed test materials, which are produced by mixing a small portion of microplastic particles with a water-soluble matrix. After solid phase dilution and homogenisation small portions are pressed into tablets and bottled in glass vials (Figure 1). These tablets are well characterized with particle size distribution and SEM images. Additionally, they are tested as reference material candidate according to homogeneity and stability for particle number with µ-IR and µ-Raman as well as on particle mass with Py-GC/MS and TED-GC/MS after ISO Guide 35. Results are promising. The material passed the homogeneity control. No changes are observed within 6 months of storage. The same tested reference material is finally used in sample preparation experiments, where environmental suspended particular matter from surface water or baby milk powders are spiked with the tablets. T2 - ESOPS CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 09.09.2024 KW - Microplastics KW - TED-GC/MS KW - Reference materials KW - Polymer 3R KW - Tablets PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-61017 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Altmann, Korinna T1 - Challenges in microplastics standardisation N2 - This talk addresses the challanges in microplastic analytics. It shows the need of standards, analytics and reference materials for accurate and reliable measurements. It explains the state of the art for referenence materials in this field and their problems. A solution is presented with PET tablets. The urgent need of harmonisation it also emphasised. T2 - MARII Summit CY - Madrid, Spain DA - 15.10.2025 KW - Microplastics KW - Reference materials PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64488 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Sieg, Holger A1 - Heilscher, Jasmin A1 - Ott, Franziska A1 - Böhmert, Linda A1 - Drusch, Stephan A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Rohn, Sascha A1 - Braeuning, Albert A1 - Kieserling, Helena T1 - Direct Interactions of Micro- and Nanoplastics with Proteins – A Key to Mechanistic Understanding? N2 - Micro-/Nanoplastics (MNP) have gained widespread scientific and public attention within the last two decades. While knowledge about measuring techniques, occurrence and exposure was improved substantially, questions on toxicological impact of MNP remained unclear. A major reason for that are the continued remaining knowledge gaps with regard to mechanistical understanding of MNP effects. Our work aimed at investigating MNP properties, protein interactions, and cellular effects in combination. Therefore, we characterized MNP-protein- adsorption, changes in protein structure, cellular uptake and cellular modes of action. In a first study, we studied the molecular interactions of β-lactoglobulin, a serum and storage protein, with different MNP materials1. We identified structural changes, depending on physicochemical MNP properties, using FTIR- and fluorescence spectroscopy. Furthermore, we investigated cellular uptake of MNP individually and as a complex with β-lactoglobulin and studied the effects on cell growth and viability, using colorimetric MTT testing, flow cytometry, and cell impedance measurements. MNP material properties, especially hydrophobicity, had an impact on protein folding and consequently also on cellular interactions. In a second study, we applied α-amylase, an extracellular digestive protein with enzymatic activity. Here, in addition, we investigated the influence of MNP binding on enzyme activity, using a colorimetric starch degradation assay. We observed for the most MNP, that adsorption processes resulted in a decrease of enzyme activity. Furthermore, we used Alexa633 staining to visualize MNP uptake with and without the presence of α-amylase. Taken together, this work aims to close data gaps regarding mechanistical effects of MNP on cells by investigating direct MNP-protein-interactions. Mechanistic knowledge is crucial for understanding toxicological effects of MNP, and therefore, also for the risk assessment of possible hazards on human health. T2 - 92. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Experimentelle und Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie (DGPT) CY - Düsseldorf, Germany DA - 17.03.2026 KW - Microplastics KW - Nanoplastics PY - 2026 AN - OPUS4-65667 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -