In search of microplastics

Parties
involved:
RIVM
RWS
Waterboards
Deltares
RIWA
KWR
NVWA
Rikilt
Universities
Imares
NIOZ
IVM
Stakeholders
ngo’s
In search of
microplastics
Anja Verschoor
The Netherlands
Outline
Introduction
Sources and
prioritization
Standardisation
issues
Introduction
Health/ecological effects
Abrasion, obstruction,
inflammation
Chemical toxicity
Transfer in food chain
Economic effects
Medical costs, fishery, water
treatment
Quick scan and prioritization of
microplastic sources
Aim:
Select relevant, feasible or urgent land-based sources
for further investigation and potential measures.
Selection of sources
Based on:
• National Emission registration
• Results expert meeting (n=21)
• Literature, internet
Discharge to surface water
Industry
Sewage
Sewage
sludges
sludges
Oil refineries
Energy sector
Traffic and transport
Discharge to sewer
Stormwater overflows
Discharge to air
Waste disposal
Trade, services and
government
Transboundary
transfers
Rainwater drains
Sewer
Deposition /run-off
Untreated sewage
Air
Surface
water
Consumers
Construction
Effluent
STP
Deposition
Agriculture
Nature
Discharge to soil Agricultural and
natural soils
Run-off and leaching
Transboundary
rivers
Legend
Sources
Compartment
Discharge
Legend
Transfer
Transboundary input
Prioritization
Multi Criteria Analysis:
1.volume of the emission,
2.Essentiality of the source,
3.Possibility of quick win measures,
4.Social perception of risk
5.Choices for consumers
Results
Towards a
definition
of microplastics
• Legal certainty
• Level playing field
• Consistent
monitoring
• Transparent Risk
assessment
• High protection
level for man and
environment
Elements of microplastic definition
1. Chemical composition
2. Physical state: solid
3. Size
4. Solubility
5. Persistence
Questions
1. Should organic-inorganic hybrid polymers (for example silicone)
be considered as a potential source of microplastic?
2. Should semi-solids be considered as microplastics?
3. How should the presence of microplastic particle be expressed:
in number or mass?
4. Is there a need for a lower size boundary?
5. Is there a need for a seamless connection with nano-materials
definition?
6. Which tests can be done to study the degradability of
microplastics?
7. What are the costs and benefits of the suggested options?
This year:
1. Elaborate on detergents, pants and car tyre
particles
2. Facilitate discussion about definition and
harmonisation of montoring and analytical
methods for microplastics.
3. Collect new data and evaluate existing data in
order to develop a risk assessment framework
(TRAMP project)
Acknowledgements:
Leon de Poorter , Erwin Roux, Bert Bellert, Ruud Peters
Willie Peijnenburg, Joke Herremans, Charles Bodar
Lex Oosterbaan, Louisa Crijns.