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 - Goedecke, Caroline T1 - Detection of microplastic and tire wear particles in road run-off samples using TED-GC-MS N2 - Plastics and rubber are used in many applications, such as packaging, building, construction and mobility. Due to their favourable properties like light weight, flexible processing and low costs their production and consequently their input into the environment has increased significantly over the last decades. In the environment, oxidation processes and mechanical abrasion lead to the decomposition of these plastics into small fragments, called microplastic (< 5 mm). By definition, microplastics only involve thermoplastics and duroplastics but elastomers made out of synthetic polymers (e. g. styrene butadiene rubber), modified natural polymers (e. g. natural rubber) and products of synthetic polymers (e. g. tires) are also part of the current microplastic discussion. The main entry pathway of rubber into the environment is the wear of used tire treads in road traffic. Lassen et al. showed that 60 % of the microplastic emissions in Denmark into the environment come from secondary microplastics generated by tires. Rain events can cause microplastic and rubber to get from the street into the street inlets. Depending on the sewage system, these waters are sometimes not cleaned in the sewage treatment plants and reach the surface waters untreated. To analyse microplastic particles in samples, mainly FTIR or Raman spectroscopic methods are applied at present. Rubber or tire particles in environmental samples cannot be analysed by these methods, because the added carbon black leads to annoying absorption and fluorescent effects. We developed a thermoanalytical method, the so-called TED-GC-MS (thermal extraction desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry), which allows the simultaneous detection of microplastic and tire wear with almost no sample preparation in about 2.5 h. The TED-GC-MS is a two-step analytical method which consists of a thermobalance and a GC-MS system. Up to 50 mg of an environmental sample is heated up to 600 °C in a nitrogen atmosphere. During pyrolysis, between 300 and 600 °C polymer-specific decomposition products are produced and collected on a solid phase. Afterwards the substances are desorbed, separated and analysed using the GC-MS. The aim of the present work is to present the TED-GC-MS as a time efficient screening method to quantify the industrial most relevant polymers in street run-off samples. Analytical challenges in the determination of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyamide (PA), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and styrene-butadiene-rubber (SBR) as a component of tire wear are honestly discussed. The study area is a 200 m long section of the Clayallee in Berlin, a representative typical urban catchment area. The road run-off in this section flows through the gullies directly into a sample chamber, which directs the runoff in an open channel to the rainwater sewer of this area. The sample chamber allows a sample to be taken directly from the road run-off without mixing with the run-off from other areas. The sample chamber is equipped with an automatic sampler. The automatic sampler is controlled by a conductivity sensor to detect the storm event at an early stage. The sensor gives the sampler a signal to start the sampling program when it gets in contact with water and reaches a certain conductivity threshold. The capacity of the sample container is 100 l and the maximum delivery of the automatic sampler is 2.8 l/min. Afterwards, the water was pumped through various stainless-steel sieves with a diameter of approximately 20 cm and mesh widths of 500, 100, 50 μm. The obtained solids were steam sterilized, freeze-dried and measured with the TED-GC-MS. The results of the TED-GC-MS-measurements are summarized in Figure 1. It shows the polymers which were detected in 1 mg of the dry masses of various street run off samples obtained during a period of 1.5 years. We detected PMMA, PS, PP, PE and SBR, as a component of tire wear in the samples. The quantification of the polymers leads to amounts of PS, PP, PE and SBR between 0 µg and 10 µg. PMMA was only detected in traces. T2 - ICCE 2019 CY - Thessaloniki, Greece DA - 16.06.2019 KW - Microplastics KW - TED-GC-MS KW - Road run-off KW - Chromatography PY - 2019 AN - OPUS4-48301 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Goedecke, Caroline T1 - Optimierte Materialien und Verfahren zur Entfernung von Mikroplastik aus dem Wasserkreislauf N2 - Das Ziel dieses Projektes ist die Entwicklung neuer Materialien, um den Rückhalt von Mikroplastik-Partikeln (MP) aus verschiedenen urbanen Eintragspfaden (Kläranlagenablauf, Mischwasserüberlauf und Straßenabfluss)zu optimieren. Die im Rahmen des Projekts entwickelten Materialien sollten auf ihre Rückhaltefähigkeit von MP aus dem Kläranlagenklarlauf getestet werden. Für die Probenahme sowie für die Analytik wurden die entwickelten und optimierten Probenahme- sowie Analysetechniken angewendet. T2 - Konferenz der BMBF-Fördermaßnahme "MachWas-Materialien für die nachhaltige Wasserwirtschaft" CY - Frankfurt am Main, Germany DA - 29.05.2018 KW - Mikroplastik KW - TED-GC-MS KW - Mischwasser KW - Straßenablauf PY - 2018 AN - OPUS4-45043 LA - deu AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Eisentraut, Paul T1 - Analyse von Reifenabrieb in Umweltproben mit der TED-GC-MS N2 - Im Vortrag wird erstmals präsentiert, dass die von der BAM entwickelte Methode TED-GC-MS sich auch zur Analyse von Reifenabrieb in Umweltproben eignet. T2 - Wassertagung der GdCh CY - Papenburg, Germany DA - 07.05.2018 KW - TED-GC-MS KW - Mikroplastik KW - Analytik KW - Reifenabrieb PY - 2018 AN - OPUS4-45200 LA - deu AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Altmann, Korinna T1 - Detektion von Polymeren im Abwasser eines Klärwerks mittels TED-GC_MS N2 - In den Umweltmedien Wasser, Boden und Luft wird Mikroplastik (MP) gefunden. Mögliche Eintragspfade, besonders Einträge über den Klarlauf kommunaler Klärwerke, sind unklar. Dazu wurde das Klärwerk Ruhleben in Berlin an jeweils vier Tagen im Sommer- und Winterbetrieb beprobt. Es wurde jeweils 1 m3 Klarlauf fraktioniert filtriert (500, 100 und 50 µm Siebe). Weiterhin wurde Rohabwasser exemplarisch untersucht. Als Analyse-methoden wurden die TED-GC-MS und die FTIR Mikroskopie verwendet. Bei der TED-GC-MS wird die Probe zunächst thermisch extrahiert, bevor die charakteristischen Zersetzungsgase mittels einer GC-Säule getrennt und im MS detektiert werden [1,2]. Es ist hier erstmals gelungen, nicht nur das MP zu identi-fizieren, sondern auch eine Massenbilanz zu erstellen und so eine quantitative Auswertung vorzunehmen. Es wurde PE, PS ganzjährig und PP im Sommer gefunden. Das Klärwerk Ruhleben hat einen Rückhalt an MP von 99%. T2 - Wasser 2018 CY - Papenburg, Germany DA - 07.05.2018 KW - Mikroplastik KW - Abwasser KW - TED-GC-MS KW - Bilanzierung PY - 2018 AN - OPUS4-44889 LA - deu AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kittner, Maria A1 - Kalbe, Ute A1 - Altmann, Korinna T1 - Freisetzung von Mikroplastik aus Sportböden N2 - Die Europäische Kommission hat 2023 ein Verbot zum bewussten Austrag von Mikroplastik (MP) in die Umwelt beschlossen, das auch für die Verwendung von synthetischen Gummi-Granulaten (v. a. EPDM) in Sportböden gilt. In Deutschland gibt es laut DFB ca. 5100 Kunstrasenplätze. In der EU beläuft sich die Anzahl laut ECHA auf 13,000 Kunstrasen- und 47,000 Bolzplätze, Tendenz steigend. Das Hauptziel des Projektes ist daher, eine Massenbilanz für die Freisetzung von MP zu erstellen, um so eine Schätzung des MP-Austrags pro Kunstrasenplatz und Jahr zu ermöglichen. Dafür werden die MP-Emissionen von drei Kunstrasenszenarien in verschiedenen Zuständen (ungealtert, künstlich gealtert und in Echtzeit gealtert) verglichen: die Vergangenheit (Kunstrasen: fossilbasiert, EPDM-Füllung), die Gegenwart (der in Europa am häufigsten installierte Rasen) und die Zukunft (Rasen mit recycelten Grasfasern, keine synthetische Füllung sondern z.B. Quarzsand oder Korkschrott). Dazu werden fabrikneue Kunststoffrasen und EPDM-Granulat unter Laborbedingungen beschleunigt gealtert, um die Freiland-Beanspruchung eines Kunststoffrasens in circa 15 Jahren abzubilden. Die Verwendung spezieller Mikrofiltertiegel in Lysimeter-Experimenten ermöglicht die Abschätzung der Partikelgrößen des emittierten MP, was eine Grundbedingung für die Bewertung einer potenziellen Gesundheitsgefährdung für Menschen ist. Ergänzend werden weitere umweltrelevante Schadstoffausträge aus den Kunststoffrasen quantifiziert und so mögliche Transportpfade überprüft. Um in Zukunft den Anforderungen des Kreislaufwirtschaftsgesetzes zu entsprechen, sollen in diesem Projekt zudem Erkenntnisse zur Rückführbarkeit von Gummi-Granulaten und Altrasen in den Rohstoffkreislauf gewonnen werden KW - Mikroplastik KW - TED-GC/MS KW - Kunststoffrasen KW - PAK KW - Schwermetalle PY - 2024 UR - https://www.zukunftbau.de/neue-meldung/zukunft-bau-journal-2024 SP - 9 EP - 9 PB - Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) CY - Bonn AN - OPUS4-61823 LA - deu AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Frelih, Milena T1 - Impact of Engineered Nanomaterials on Microbial Communities in the Aquatic Environment N2 - Engineered nanoparticles have garnered significant attention for their unique properties and potential applications across various industries. They were extensively examined for their toxicological effect in vitro and in vivo, but their effects on environmental and biological systems remain underexplored. A key area of concern is how nanoparticles interact with microbial communities in natural ecosystems, since these communities are vital for processes such as nutrient cycling, biodegradation, and maintaining ecosystem health and functioning. Currently, environmental risk assessments of nanoparticles majorly involve higher organisms (e.g. algae, zooplankton), but omit the effects on complex communities and ecosystems as a whole. This research aims to investigate the impact of nanomaterials on aquatic microbial communities using a combination of laboratory experiments and field-sampling along a gradient from low to highly anthropogenically impacted aquatic ecosystems around Berlin, Germany. To holistically assess changes in microbial composition and functional activity in response to nanomaterial exposure, we will apply molecular, microbiological, analytical as well as OMIC methods. We hypothesize that nanoparticles induce significant compositional changes in microbial community structures, potentially leading to alterations in stress responses and other functional effects. Nanomaterials have the potential to benefit the environment by contributing to energy and resource efficiency, remediation of contaminated sites, or water treatment. In order to represent truly sustainable products, though, a safe use for humans and ecosystems must be assured. Ultimately, this research will contribute to more accurate environmental risk assessments and help guide the responsible use of nanotechnology in various industries. T2 - SETAC Europe CY - Vienna, Austria DA - 11.05.2025 KW - Microbial Communities KW - Aquatic Environment KW - Nanomaterials PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-63164 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Altmann, Korinna T1 - Detektion von Mikroplastik N2 - In dem Vortrag geht es um die Möglichkeiten der Detektion von Mikroplastik im Allgemeinen. Es werden Beispiele für die Luft gezeigt. T2 - VDI-Workshop „Mikroplastik in der Außenluft – Was wir wissen und was wir (noch) nicht wissen CY - Online meeting DA - 15.11.2022 KW - Mikroplastik KW - Mikroplastik in Luft KW - Detektion von Mikroplastik PY - 2022 AN - OPUS4-56289 LA - deu AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Braun, U. T1 - Thermoanalytical methods to measure mass in microplastics N2 - The talk adresses the use of thermoanalytical methods in microplastics analysis. T2 - EUROLAB webinar: MICROPLASTICS: regulations, standards and the role of laboratories CY - Online meeting DA - 15.02.2023 KW - TED-GC/MS KW - Thermoanalytical methods KW - Microplastic mass PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-57009 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 - Micro- and nanoplastic particle number and mass-based analysis on a plastic-free size-selective two stage Si membrane filtration cascade N2 - The poster presents a Si wafer filter development as two stage cascade and the adapter for microplastics filtration. T2 - SETAC Europe 2023 CY - Dublin, Ireland DA - 30.04.2023 KW - Microplastics KW - Filtration KW - TED-GC/MS KW - Polymer 3R KW - Cascade filtration PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-57461 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 - Overview of CUSP and PlasticTrace N2 - The presentation summarises the work of CUSP and PlasticTrace EU joint research projects of the last year. T2 - Microplastics Scientific Workshop of PlasticsEurope CY - Amsterdam, The Netherlands DA - 08.05.2023 KW - Microplastics KW - Microplastics standardisation KW - Reference materials KW - Polymer 3R PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-57460 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 - Kittner, Maria T1 - Bewertung der Freisetzung von Mikroplastik aus Sportböden auf Kunststoffbasis N2 - Projektvorstellung "Bewertung der Freisetzung von Mikroplastik aus Sportböden auf Kunststoffbasis": Motivation, Konzept, Umsetzung, erste analytische Ergebnisse der TED-GC/MS T2 - 24. Projekttage der Zukunft Bau Forschungsförderung CY - Bonn, Germany DA - 13.06.2023 KW - Mikroplastik KW - TED-GC/MS KW - Kunststoffrasen KW - Lysimeter KW - Beschleunigte Alterung PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-58441 LA - deu AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Kittner, Maria T1 - Bewertung der Freisetzung von Mikroplastik aus Sportböden auf Kunststoffbasis N2 - Projektvorstellung "Bewertung der Freisetzung von Mikroplastik aus Sportböden auf Kunststoffbasis": Konzept, Umsetzung, erste Mikroplastik-Ergebnisse. T2 - Projektbegleitkreissitzung des Projektes "Ermittlung und Minderung von Mikroplastik- und Schadstoffemissionen von Kunststoffrasen-Sportplätzen (MiMiK)“ CY - Sittensen, Germany DA - 25.09.2023 KW - Mikroplastik KW - TED-GC/MS KW - Kunststoffrasen KW - Lysimeter KW - Beschleunigte Alterung PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-58442 LA - deu AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - van den Berg, A. A1 - Adriaans, K. A1 - Hoppener, E. A1 - Parker, L. A1 - Boersma, A. A1 - Altmann, Korinna A1 - Legler, J. A1 - Pieters, R. T1 - Inflammation-related key events stimulated by micro- and nanoplastics N2 - The presence of micro- and nanoplastic particles (MNP) in our environment has raised increasing public and political concern. Increasing evidence suggests that humans are exposed to these MNP, mostly via inhalation or ingestion. The EC-Horizon project POLYRISK (https://polyrisk.science) aims to establish an IATA/AOP-based tiered approach to assess human health risks of MNP. In our research, we focus on assessing immunotoxicological effects of MNP. We have tested a series of primary, secondary, environmentally aged (incubated in River Rine water) and chemically altered MNP for their potential to affect dendritic cells or macrophages. MNP used in this study include primary and weathered PS, secondary PVC, PA, PP (with or without talc) and PE. The secondary PE and PP (w/o talc) particles appeared to have oxidized groups on their surface. Data shows that MNP can be engulfed by macrophages (PMA-stimulated human THP1 cells) and human blood-derived dendritic cells (DCs). The effects of virgin as well as secondary MNP (0, 10 or 100 μg/ml) on THP1 macrophages were limited to decrease of mitochondrial activity (Alamar blue), increase of cellular leakage (LDH), and stimulation of lysosomal activity. None of these MNP stimulated gene expression of NFκB or release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNFα, IL-1β). On the other hand, secondary PP and PE with oxidized surface groups did increase NFκB gene expression and release of cytokines by THP1 macrophages. Virgin and weathered PS particles were tested using DCs, and only weathered PS did stimulate DC activity (increased costimulatory molecules CD83, CD86) and as consequence allogeneic T cells. DC activation appeared to result from environmental contaminants. In conclusion, of all MNPs tested only those that contained active surface groups or environmental components appeared to be immunostimulatory, whereas primary and secondary MNP rather reduced macrophage activity and viability (at relatively high concentrations of 100 μg/ml). Further research is needed to reveal molecular mechanisms and to translate in vitro findings to real-world exposure scenarios. T2 - 58th Congress of the European Societies of Toxicology (EUROTOX 2024) CY - Copenhagen, Denmark DA - 08.09.2024 KW - Micro- and nanoplastic particles (MNP) KW - Human health risks KW - Immunotoxicological effects PY - 2024 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxlet.2024.07.052 AN - OPUS4-63363 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 -