The SSbD4CheM project participated in NanoInnovation 2026, held from 14–18 September 2026 in Rome, Italy. The conference brought together researchers, scientists, regulators, academia and industry professionals to exchange knowledge on the latest developments in nanoscience and nanotechnology and to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue.
On 16 September, Milica Velimirovic (VITO) represented SSbD4CheM with an oral presentation entitled “Advanced Analytical Strategies for Reliable Exposure Assessment of Micro- and Nanoplastics”. The presentation provided an overview of state-of-the-art approaches for the detection, characterisation and quantification of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in environmental and biological matrices.
Particular attention was given to challenges in assessing human and environmental exposure, including the detection of small particles at environmentally relevant concentrations. The presentation covered advanced sampling and sample preparation methods as well as emerging analytical techniques for water, air, soil, food and biological samples, with a focus on mass spectrometry approaches such as spCIP-MS and Py-GC/MS.
For nanoplastics, where reliable exposure assessment remains particularly challenging due to their small size, low concentrations and complex interactions with environmental matrices, Milica highlighted the importance of harmonised approaches, quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC), reference materials and standardised protocols to ensure robust and comparable results.
The presentation concluded with future perspectives on advancing analytical strategies for micro- and nanoplastics.
A key message of her presentation was that reliable exposure assessment requires the integration of advanced analytical techniques, rigorous quality control and standardised methodologies to support robust environmental and human health risk assessment.
In her presentation, Milica also acknowledged the EU-funded projects InPlasTwin, Remedies, SSbD4CheM, Upstream and VisionAir.
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