Scientists, policymakers, and patient advocates met in Brussels to explore a possible new player in allergic disease - tiny plastic particles hiding in our food, air, and bodies.

Allergies have exploded in recent decades. Over 150 million Europeans suffer from some form of allergic disease, and projections suggest that by 2050, half of the global population may be affected. The culprits? Genetics, pollution, diet - factors we know. But could something else be quietly tipping the balance?

That’s the question driving Imptox, an EU-funded research project investigating whether micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are linked to allergic diseases. On February 25, 2025, at the Plastic Particles and Allergies: A Stakeholder Dialogue on Emerging Risks, more than 120 participants gathered - both in person and online - at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels to examine the latest findings.

The event was a pre-conference discussion ahead of the CUSP Final Scientific Conference, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and patient advocacy groups. Imptox is one of five projects within CUSP (the European Cluster to Understand the Health Impacts of Micro- and Nanoplastics), but it is the only one focusing specifically on the potential link between MNPs and allergic diseases.

The discussions were led by Imptox Project Coordinator, Tanja Ćirković Veličković (University of Belgrade), along with Scientific dvisor Ian Mudway (Imperial College London) and Imptox scientist Lea Ann Dailey (University of Vienna). The goal? To explore whether these tiny plastic particles, now found in nearly every corner of the planet, could be influencing the human immune system in ways we don’t yet fully understand.

Key Highlights: What We Know, What We Don’t, and What’s at Stake

Microplastics are everywhere. We breathe them in, ingest them through food, and unknowingly interact with them in our daily lives. But are they playing a role in the rising rates of allergic disease?

While research into this question is still evolving, the Imptox Stakeholder Dialogue highlighted some key areas of concern. Ian Mudway opened the discussion by reminding participants that "this is a field where more is not known than is known." 

One focus of the research has been whether MNPs interact with allergens in ways that could influence immune responses. Studies have found that MNPs can bind to allergenic proteins, forming "coronas" that alter their structure, raising questions about whether these changes could impact immune recognition​.

Meanwhile, experimental models are providing some insights into potential biological effects. Michelle Epstein (Medical University of Vienna) presented findings showing that animal models with allergic asthma retained significantly more plastic particles in their lungs compared to healthy ones. This suggests that underlying health conditions might influence how MNPs behave in the body, with factors such as particle type, host characteristics, and exposure routes playing a role (read here our coverage).

Another key area of investigation is whether MNPs act as carriers for pollutants, bacteria, and other contaminants. Tanja Ćirković Veličković emphasized the need to study MNPs in the context of their interactions with other environmental factors: "We are not just dealing with plastics; we are dealing with plastics plus contaminants, plus allergens, plus microbial interactions. To study MNPs properly, we have to embrace that complexity."​

Understanding human exposure to MNPs remains a challenge. A Croatian study assessing plastic exposure in nearly 1,000 children found regional differences in sensitization patterns, with more respiratory allergies in Dalmatia and food allergies in Zagreb, but the link to MNP exposure is still not clear.

At the same time, detecting MNPs in the human body remains incredibly difficult. Lea Ann Dailey highlighted just how technically demanding this work is: " We're working at the very limits of detection with some of the most advanced methods.”

Beyond these challenges, speakers also highlighted the complexity of producing micro- and nanoplastic particles for research, ensuring they are stable, contamination-free, and suitable for experiments. Discussions also explored how MNPs can carry environmental toxins, such as cyanotoxins, and adsorb metals like lead, aluminium, and copper, which may alter their interactions with biological systems.

As the science continues to evolve, researchers are working to develop a risk assessment framework for allergy and asthma. Still in development, this framework aims to identify and quantify potential hazards linked to MNP exposure, integrating data from both experimental and human studies. By providing a structured approach to evaluating risks, it could help inform public health strategies and regulatory decisions in the future.

For those who missed the event, the full agenda provides a breakdown of speakers and topics and a recording of the entire event will soon be available.

The Big Questions from Stakeholders

Rather than a one-way presentation, this event fostered an open dialogue between scientists, policymakers, and patient advocates including the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients' Associations (EFANET). While the discussions shed light on emerging findings, many questions remain unanswered, underscoring just how complex this field is:

Could microplastics contribute to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria? Early evidence shows that MNPs can carry bacterial cargo, including antibiotic resistance genes, but their exact role in transmission remains unclear.

What regulatory and policy actions should follow from this research? With scientific uncertainty still present, experts stress the need for precautionary measures while research continues.

Beyond the science, stakeholders expressed strong interest in continuing this conversation. One of the questions during the Q&A was: Will there be another event like this?

What Comes Next?

Though Imptox is slowly nearing completion, its findings are laying the groundwork for future research and regulatory action to safeguard human health. Scientists agree that more long-term studies and real-world exposure assessments are needed to determine whether MNPs play a role in allergic disease.  

One thing is certain: public interest is growing. With allergies affecting millions and microplastics ubiquitous in modern life, understanding their potential connection is more urgent than ever.