At the start of the project, we ensured everyone involved was on the same page by defining responsibilities and finished all the necessary formalities. We are excited that everyone is on board and that we can move forward with our plans.
With our team in place, we started to determine reference materials. That is a set of materials to support the development of an imaging toolbox and for calibration. One reference material is PET (Polyester). It is one of the most widely used and widely recycled types of plastic. To use it as a reference material, we need to find ways to break it down into smaller particles in a precisely controlled manner. These small particles can then serve as references when we investigate our collected environmental samples. The goal is to define a protocol for producing these references that leads to reproducible results in different laboratories.
Aside from these activities, we’ve been contacting relevant companies in the plastics industry to learn more about their needs and applications. We’re collecting data on sector-specific activities that can release miro- and nanoparticles into the environment or lead to direct human exposure. By understanding the different processes and stages involved in the industry, we aim to identify any potential safety concerns and find ways to address them.
If you work in the plastics industry, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to exchange knowledge and ideas!