Investigating Exposure and Hazards of Micro- and Nanoplastics During Pregnancy and Early Life (AURORA Project): Protocol for an Interdisciplinary Study (Preprint)

• DOI: 10.2196/preprints.63176
• Publication Date: 2024-10-08T19:00:53Z
• Authors: Amanda M Durkin; Runyu Zou; Justin M Boucher; Matthew SP Boyles; Jeske van Boxel; Mariona Bustamante; Emily A Christopher; Payam Dadvand; Hanna M Dusza; Majorie van Duursen; Markus M Forsberg; Karen S Galea; Juliette Legler; Laurens DB Mandem...; Florian Meirer; Jane Muncke; Tim S Nawrot; Petra Přibylová; Anna R Robuck; Nelly D Saenen; Barbara M Scholz-...; Kuanliang Shao; Martine Vrijheid; Douglas I Walker; Lisa Zimmermann; Laura M Zoutendijk; Virissa Lenters; Roel Vermeulen
• Keywords: Preprint

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging pollutants of concern with ubiquitous presence in global ecosystems. MNPs pose potential implications for human health; however, the health impacts MNP exposures not yet understood. Recent evidence suggests that can cross placental barrier, underlying urgent need to understand their impact on reproductive development. </sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> The Actionable eUropean ROadmap early-life Risk Assessment micro- (AURORA) project will investigate biological effects during pregnancy early life, which critical periods due heightened vulnerability environmental stressors. AURORA enhance exposure assessment capabilities measuring MNPs, MNP-associated chemicals, plastic additives tissues, including placenta blood. <title>METHODS</title> In this interdisciplinary project, we advance methods in-depth characterization scalable chemical analytical strategies, enabling high-resolution large-scale toxicological, assessment, epidemiological studies. performs observational studies determinants by 800 mother-child pairs from 2 existing birth cohorts 110 women age a newly established cohort. This be complemented toxicological using tiered-testing approach investigations evaluate associations between maternal prenatal perturbations, such as function, immune-inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, accelerated aging, endocrine disruption, child growth ultimate goal is create an risk framework identify remaining knowledge gaps priorities needed comprehensively assess health. <title>RESULTS</title> first 3 years 5-year (2021-2026), progress was made toward all objectives. includes completion recruitment data collection new cohorts, development methodological protocols, initiation tiered assessments. As September 2024, analysis ongoing results expected published starting 2025. <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> pollution increases globally, it imperative health, particularly vulnerable developmental stages life. contributions inform future assessment. <title>INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT</title> DERR1-10.2196/63176