www.bfr.bund.de

Is there a risk to human health from microplastics? More research and scientific data needed
BfR Communication No 033/2018 of 29.10.2018
The Austrian Federal Environment Agency and the Medical University of Vienna have presented the first preliminary results of a pilot study on microplastics (microplastic particles) inhumans. They have detected microplastic particles in stool of eight volunteers. The German
Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) summarises its findings on possible health risksof microplastic particles for humans.
Microplastics in food
The BfR has no reliable data on the chemical composition, particle size and content of microplastic particles in foodstuffs. Due to the lack of reliable data, a health risk assessment forthe consumption of food contaminated with microplastic particles is currently only possible toa limited extent. At the request of the BfR, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) prepared a comprehensive scientific opinion on the "Presence of microplastics and nanoplastics
in food, with particular focus on seafood". This opinion was published in May 2016:
https://www.efsa.europa.eu/de/efsajournal/pub/4501 (EFSA 2016)
The main aspects of the opinion were underlined in an accompanying press release:https://www.efsa.europa.eu/de/press/news/160623. (EFSA 2016a)
According to EFSA, there is a possibility of oral absorption of microplastic particles of a certain size, although the fate and possible degradation in the gastrointestinal tract have notbeen sufficiently investigated so far due to a lack of analytical methods and valid studies.
According to EFSA, available studies show that intestinal absorption appears to be very low(results from rodent studies). According to EFSA, only microparticles smaller than 150 micrometers (µm, 1 µm corresponds to 0.001 mm) can cross the intestinal barrier and only microparticles smaller than 1.5 µm can reach organs located deeper. No results from humanstudies are currently available.
First own investigations of the BfR on cultures of human intestinal epithelial cells as well as inanimal experiments showed that plastic particles up to a diameter of approx. 4 µm can beabsorbed in the cell culture of epithelial cells of the intestinal wall. In animal experiments,
however, it was shown that despite the administration of very large amounts of plastic particles in the size of 1 - 10 µm, these could only be found sporadically in the examined intestinal epithelial cells. The studies on the oral uptake of microplastic particles carried out at theBfR to date with various model particles did not reveal any evidence of damage to the intestinal tissue.
The BfR does not have any findings on the question of whether microplastic particles candeposit in the body.

© BfR, Seite 1 von 3Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung
www.bfr.bund.deMicroplastics in cosmetic products
According to the current state of knowledge, a health risk from dermal or unintended oral
absorption via peelings or shower gels is unlikely from the point of view of the BfR, since themicroplastic particles occurring there are larger than 1 µm. With this particle size, absorption
via healthy and intact skin is not to be expected with foreseeable use of the products. Even if
cosmetic products are accidentally swallowed, it can be assumed that absorption via the gastrointestinal tract would only be possible to a small extent and only with particles of a few
micrometers in size, and that the majority of the particles are excreted via the stool. From thepoint of view of the BfR, it is unlikely that health-relevant amounts of ethylene from polyethylene are released by microplastic particles during the passage through the gastrointestinal
tract.
Microplastics as transport vehicles for other undesirable substances
It has been described that substances can accumulate on microplastic particles. These substances bind according to their chemical-physical surface properties and can interact with themicroplastic particles. Due to the predominantly non-polar, lipophilic (= fat-loving) propertiesof microplastic particles, substances such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or polycyclicaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are discussed here. Whether these substances actually contribute to human exposure through uptake by loaded microplastic particles has not yet been
researched.
An EFSA model calculation (EFSA 2016a) shows that the daily intake of PCBs and PAHs
through the consumption of contaminated microplastic particles in mussels can only increaseby 0.006 % for PCBs and less than 0.004 % for PAHs compared to other intake pathways.
It was assumed in the extreme case that 225 g of mussels containing 7 µg microplastic particles per kg of mussels (equivalent to 900 particles) were consumed daily by humans. Thesemussels in turn contain high levels of PCBs and PAHs, of which the PCBs and PAHs arecompletely transferred to humans.
It has been described that biofilms can develop from bacteria on particles that float, for example, in water. Whether and to what extent microplastic particles can act as vehicles forbacteria or viruses that have an influence on the safety of food products or the health of humans has not been investigated.
Avoidance of the absorption of microplastics by humans
Sources of microplastic particle inputs into the environment and the food chain are manifold.
Generally valid recommendations for protective measures cannot currently be formulated.
There is a great need for research into the question of whether and under what conditions
microplastic particles can have a potential hazard. Entrance paths for microplastic particles
into the environment and the food chain must be further researched and solutions for theavoidance of inputs must be sought.
Further information on the BfR website on microplastics
https://www.bfr.bund.de/en/questions_and_answers_on_microplastics-192775.html© BfR, Seite 2 von 3Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung
www.bfr.bund.dehttps://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/349/microplastic-particles-in-food.pdf
Further information on microplastics in the environment:
https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/tags/mikroplastikpartikel
About the BfR
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is a scientifically independent institution within the scope of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL). It advises theFederal Government and the Länder on questions of food, chemical and product safety. The
BfR conducts its own research on topics closely related to its assessment tasks.

© BfR, Seite 3 von 3