Microplastics. Much is currently being said and reported about it. We know that it is present in the oceans, in the air, even in food or cosmetics. But how much of it is actually in circulation, and how much of it in turn gets into the human body, whether through inhalation or ingestion, is something about which there is as yet little well-founded knowledge. And even less is known about whether - and if so, what - impact this microplastic in our bodies has on our health.

"We currently lack the tools to measure and characterize microplastics and nanoplastics, both in the environment and in humans themselves," says Lea Ann Dailey of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Vienna, a researcher on the "Imptox Team. "A major project goal is therefore to develop these measurement methods. To do this, we will further refine methods that actually come from pharmaceutical development but have the potential to lead to good results in environmental research as well."

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