Oral Presentation Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Australasia 2023

Estimating total dietary exposure to nano- and microplastics (#18)

Coral Jeffries 1 , Cassandra Rauert 1 , Kevin Thomas 1
  1. Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia

Food and beverage products can become contaminated with nano- and micro plastics (NMPs) at any stage of the food production process and consumption of NMPs through the diet is recognised as a major pathway of human exposure. Concerns are growing internationally around the potential health impacts of ingesting NMPs and despite increased research in this area over the last 10 years, there is insufficient data available on commonly eaten foods to reliably determine total dietary exposure. This study analysed 27 different food and beverages from eight regularly consumed food groups as identified by the Australian Health Survey. NMPs were extracted using either Accelerated Solvent Extraction or filtration, and identification and quantification was undertaking using pyrolysis GC/MS. NMPs were detected in apples, tomatoes, pasta, rice, fish fingers, instant coffee, tap and bottled water, beer and wine. Concentrations determined in the food products were used to estimate total dietary exposure of NMPs in the Australian population.