Micro and nanoplastics are currently widely studied as they are widespread in the environment, where they can originate from the breakdown of larger plastics, or be manufactured purposely at small sizes for specific applications. Micro and nanoplastics have been reported in water, soil, plants and animal tissues, and, more recently, studies have reported microplastics in humans. However, due to the complexity of human fluids and tissues, and the small sizes of micro and nanoplastics, there are still significant challenges in accurately measuring them which means that their potential negative health effects in humans are not fully understood.
For infants, ingestion is considered one of the main routes of exposure to micro and nanoplastics. Understanding this exposure is important because infants may be more susceptible to potential adverse health outcomes. Microplastics have been reported in placenta, faeces, infant formula, human breast milk and in milk storage and feeding containers, suggesting potential exposure from the early stages of life. However, due to limitations of the employed analytical techniques there is still limited information regarding infant oral exposure.
As such the aim of this PhD project is to evaluate infant exposure to micro and nanoplastics originating from infant formula, human breast milk and breast milk storage bags and feeding bottles using appropriate quality assurance and quality control procedures (QA/QC) to ensure the accuracy of the results.
Conference Abstracts
Puente, L., Thomas, K.V. & Rauert, C. Assessment of infant oral exposure to micro and nanoplastics from plastic feeding and storage containers, Plastics2026, Brisbane, Australia, 1-4 March 2026.
Puente-De La Cruz, L., Thomas, K.V. & Rauert, C. Micro and nanoplastic migration from plastic breast milk storage bags and storage bottles, International Mass Spectrometry Conference 2024, Melbourne, Australia, 17-23 August 2024.
Puente, L. Rauert, C. & Thomas, K. Evaluation of micro and nano plastic background of commercial breast milk storage bags, Queensland Mass Spectrometry Symposium, Brisbane, Australia, 9 February 2024.
Puente-De La Cruz, L. Rauert, C., Thomas, K. V. Evaluation of micro and nano plastic background of commercial breast milk storage bags, SETAC Australasia 2023, Townsville, Australia, 7-11 August 2023.
