On 4 December 2025, the SSbD4CheM project took part in the BelTox–BEMS Annual Meeting 2025, hosted at Sciensano in Brussels. This year’s edition, “Unmasking Microplastics: Impacts, Challenges and Implications for (Eco)Toxicology,” brought together around 100 participants researchers (academia and industry) to explore one of today’s most rapidly evolving topics in environmental and human health research.
Co-organised once again by the Belgian Society of Toxicology and Ecotoxicology (BelTox) and the Belgian Environmental Mutagen Society (BEMS), the meeting offered a comprehensive overview of the microplastics landscape. Participants were introduced to key concepts in microplastics research and learned about state-of-the-art analytical methods—including Pyr-GC/MS coupled with sp-ICP/MS and advanced microscopy techniques. The programme also highlighted the presence and effects of microplastics in agricultural soils and showcased interdisciplinary progress spanning ecotoxicology, analytics, and human health.
The event further addressed toxicity assessment using in vivo and alternative models and examined persistent challenges in risk assessment, such as data quality and knowledge gaps regarding health impacts. Mitigation strategies, insights from EU-funded research, and the Young Scientists Competition enriched the day through discussion, innovation, and networking.
Representing SSbD4CheM, Dr. Milica Velimirović Fanfani (VITO) contributed to the scientific programme with her presentation, “Low µm-range microplastics and nanoplastics: finding the needle in the haystack”. Her participation also fostered national outreach and opened discussions on potential collaboration opportunities within Belgium’s growing microplastics research community.
