Innovation in research on micro- and nanoplastics and their effects on human health

We are a multidisciplinary team with expertise in a wide range of fields including food sciences & technology, allergy, immunology, biomedicine, biology, chemistry, bioinformatics, machine learning, paediatrics and others, cooperating across Europe to investigate the relationship among micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) and allergic diseases.

The Project

Untangling the multifaceted relationship of exposure routes, risks and health impacts of MNPs.

Improving MNP detection

We plan to develop innovative tools to measure and characterize MNPs and potential contaminants in food, water and air.

MNPs combined with pollutants

We are committed to understanding the effect of MNPs combined with potentially harmful environmental contaminants adhering to their surfaces and finding their way into the human body.

The relationship with allergic diseases

We aim to examine a possible link between MNPs and their role in food allergy and allergic asthma.

CUSP Research Cluster

Imptox is one of five projects in the EU Horizon 2020 programme that collaborates with the European Commission's Joint Research Center to form The European Research Cluster to Understand the Health Impacts of Micro- and Nanoplastics, CUSP. It is the cluster’s overall goal to contribute with new scientific knowledge and know-how to the European Strategy for Plastics.

Discover by playing

Microplastic Madness: Catching PlastikPunk is an educational videogame for kids and adults alike. Through a captivating journey of question-solving and coding challenges, players can test their knowledge about microplastics, discover the research carried out in Imptox and help the iconic character NanoNinja to catch PlastikPunk and free the world from plastic trash. Don’t hesitate and sign up for this exhilarating advenuture!

Highlights

13/05/2025
EVENT

Powering Up STEM Education: Imptox Videogame Featured at "Educating the Educators 2025"

At the fifth edition of the Educating the Educators conference in Cyprus, Imptox members from Promoscience shared how game-based tools can support educators in teaching complex science topics - inside the classroom and beyond.

12/05/2025
PROJECT PUBLICATION

How Lab-Made Nanoplastics Are Helping Decode Health Risks

A new collaborative study led by Imptox researchers from the University of Vienna designs test materials to better understand how nanoplastics interact with the human body.

30/04/2025
CUSP NEWS

Wrapping Up a Groundbreaking Journey: The Final CUSP Newsletter Is Out!

Celebrating Four Years of Pioneering Research into Micro- and Nanoplastics and Health

28/04/2025
EVENT

Imptox Joins the Interactive Marketplace at IAFP Europe 2025 in Madrid

Prof. Andreja Rajković from UGent to present Imptox research on micro- and nanoplastics and food safety at IAFP Europe 2025 Interactive Marketplace.

The Imptox Team

Imptox is a multidisciplinary consortium of 12 partners from 8 European countries.