5.5
SciPi 770: Best Practices: Detecting and Quantifying Micro- Nanoplastics (MNP) in Biological Tissues
Do researchers need to consider other parameters? Appropriate bin sizes and bin size distribution for MNPs in human tissues keeping in mind that the ultimate goal is the eventual meta-analysis of all studies and health risk assessment?
Results
(9 Answers)
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Expert 9
I think that while recommendation of appropriate bin sizes and bin size distribution for MNPs in human tissues is desirable as long as it is informed by a high quality critical review; such recommendations should only be such. They should not preclude researchers reporting other/additional information on such parameters and should be reviewed frequently and regularly - say bi-annually. -
Expert 3
Bins of size, shape and material, as well as color and degree of degradation may be useful in future meta-analysis studies. -
Expert 4
Bin size / bin size distribution is indeed a suited other parameter. Also, detailed information on chemical functionalities present in the plastics is of relevance and this is especially the case for weathered particles. -
Expert 2
Researchers need to consider several parameters related to bin sizes and distributions. The appropriate bin sizes should reflect the physiological sizes of MNPs and maintain a balance between detail and statistical relevance. Also, the distribution of bin sizes should be aligned with the biological relevance, and to account for normal versus log-normal distributions depending on the different tissue types and their specific interactions with nanoparticles. It is very important to consider how the size can correlate with the toxicity and health risks, due to the fact that varying bin sizes can impact the toxicity outcomes. Additionally, using appropriate analytical methods and aligning with standardized protocols will further enhance the data quality and reliability across studies, leading to more reliable health risk assessments. -
Expert 1
For risk assessment, it is important to have the data reported in mass per unit mass of samples (ng/g or ug/g). This can be achieved using mass spec based methods. Counts of MNPs and size and shape may have little relation to toxicity. A recommendation for reporting MNPs in a standardized format is needed. For wet tissues, data may be corrected for dry weight. -
Expert 5
If possible to adequately assess, it would be instructive to know the "weathering" of the particles. MNPs that exhibit "weathering" give a soft measure of the environmental exposure of the particle and thus the possible contamination of other persistent organic pollutants.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2021.117011
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119669
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenvironau.2c00036
Trying to use morphology and polymer density to calculate mass is still suspect in its accuracy.
Comparison of pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and hyperspectral FTIR imaging spectroscopy for the analysis of microplastics | Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry (https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-020-02979-w) -
Expert 8
Yes, I agree with the paper saying that bin sizes are important and should be considered. -
Expert 6
Yes, researcher should also consider the physical-chemical meaning of observed results. Do the results meet common-sense or status-quo knowledge? Novel breakthrough is often unknown and exciting. Discussion should be sufficient around data. Observation is only the first step; health risk assessment is the ultimate goal. -
Expert 7
Yes, other parameters, bin sizes and their distributions for example, should be considered when quantifying MNPs in human tissues. This is crucial to compare studies meaningfully.
Experts broadly agree that bin sizes and distributions are important parameters for MNP analysis in human tissues, though they emphasize different aspects and additional considerations.
Areas of agreement:
- Most experts affirm the importance of standardized bin sizes for future meta-analysis and comparability between studies
- Several experts (3, 4, 5) highlight the need to consider additional physical parameters beyond just size (shape, material, color, weathering, chemical functionalities)
Different emphases:
- Expert 1 uniquely stresses reporting data in mass per unit mass (ng/g or μg/g) rather than counts, suggesting size/shape may have limited relation to toxicity
- Expert 2 focuses on physiological relevance of bin sizes and distribution patterns in different tissue types
- Expert 9 cautions that recommendations should not be restrictive and should undergo regular review
- Expert 5 specifically highlights particle "weathering" as an indicator of environmental exposure and potential contamination
- Expert 6 emphasizes the importance of interpreting results within the context of existing knowledge
Summary Generated by AI
Expert 5
08/01/2025 08:36