Communicating Confidence in the Reliability of Micro- and Nanoplastic Identification in Human Health Studies

Accurately quantifying and characterizing human internal exposure to micro- and nanoplastics are critical for assessing potential health risks. However, the detection of these particles in human tissues, fluids, cell systems, and relevant models remains a major analytical challenge. There is an urgent need for robust, selective, sensitive, and high-throughput methods capable of generating reliable quantitative data. Equally essential is the transparent reporting of methodological limitations and uncertainties, supported by rigorous data collection and standardized practices. These challenges are compounded by the ubiquity of plastic particles, and therefore the risk of sample contamination and their diverse properties (e.g., size, shape, composition), all adding to the complexity of identifying and quantifying them in biological matrices. To address these issues, we propose a framework that integrates orthogonal analytical techniques to enhance the data reliability. Commonly used analytical techniques for the analysis of micro- and nanoplastics are assigned a category based on their specificity when identifying plastic particles. The framework proposes minimum data requirements from orthogonal techniques for the identification of plastic particles at various confidence levels. Clear communication of analytical confidence is vital, and we present a structured approach to support this. We emphasize the importance of scientific integrity, rigorous study design, and transparent reporting in health research. Finally, we call for the universal adoption of harmonized confidence criteria for reporting the presence of plastics in humans, an essential step toward informed decision-making.

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Publication Details

Journal
Environment & Health
Published
2026-01-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1021/envhealth.5c00671
Citations
4
Primary Topic
Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
73.30
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article

Communicating Confidence in the Reliability of Micro- and Nanoplastic Identification in Human Health Studies

Cassandra Rauert, Stephanie Wright, Alessio Gomiero, Grace Davies et al.
4 citations
Environment & Health
Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
73.30
article

Communicating Confidence in the Reliability of Micro- and Nanoplastic Identification in Human Health Studies

Cassandra Rauert, Stephanie Wright, Alessio Gomiero, Grace Davies, Saer Samanipour, Dorte Herzke, Ian Mudway, Leon Barron, Christos Symeonides, Sarah A. Dunlop, Susanne Belz, Koelmans Albert A., David Walker, Elvis D. Okoffo, Richard K. Cross, Tingting Wang, Shaowei Guo, Kevin Thomas, Andy M. Booth, Hubert Dirven, Jun-Li Xu, Martin J. D. Clift
article en
4 citations

Abstract

Accurately quantifying and characterizing human internal exposure to micro- and nanoplastics are critical for assessing potential health risks. However, the detection of these particles in human tissues, fluids, cell systems, and relevant models remains a major analytical challenge. There is an urgent need for robust, selective, sensitive, and high-throughput methods capable of generating reliable quantitative data. Equally essential is the transparent reporting of methodological limitations and uncertainties, supported by rigorous data collection and standardized practices. These challenges are compounded by the ubiquity of plastic particles, and therefore the risk of sample contamination and their diverse properties (e.g., size, shape, composition), all adding to the complexity of identifying and quantifying them in biological matrices. To address these issues, we propose a framework that integrates orthogonal analytical techniques to enhance the data reliability. Commonly used analytical techniques for the analysis of micro- and nanoplastics are assigned a category based on their specificity when identifying plastic particles. The framework proposes minimum data requirements from orthogonal techniques for the identification of plastic particles at various confidence levels. Clear communication of analytical confidence is vital, and we present a structured approach to support this. We emphasize the importance of scientific integrity, rigorous study design, and transparent reporting in health research. Finally, we call for the universal adoption of harmonized confidence criteria for reporting the presence of plastics in humans, an essential step toward informed decision-making.

Environment & Health
University College Dublin (IE), Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NO), Climate Central (US), Emory University (US), The University of Queensland (AU), SINTEF (NO), The University of Western Australia (AU), European Commission (BE), Shantou University (CN), Swansea University (GB), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (GB), Office of Minority Health (US), Environment and Health Group (United States) (US), NORCE Research AS (NO), First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College (CN), Shantou University Medical College (CN), Aquatic Systems (United States) (US), Institut des Sciences Analytiques (FR), Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (US), Murdoch Children's Research Institute (AU), Health Research Alliance (US), Health & Life (Taiwan) (TW), Minderoo Foundation, Imperial College London (GB), University of Amsterdam (NL), Rollins College (US), Wageningen University & Research (NL)
Peace, Justice and strong institutions
Openalex Percentile: Top 0%
Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
73.30
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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