Project R-15496

Unravelling ultrafine particulate matter and micro nano plastic's mechanisms of impact on fetal health (Research)

The UPRISE project aims to enhance understanding of the causal relationship between airborne ultrafine particle (UFP) exposure and the increased risk of adverse birth outcomes (ABO), such as preterm birth (PTB). Additionally, it seeks to determine the contribution of micro nano plastics (MNPs) to air pollution levels and to explore if such a causal relationship exists for exposure to MNPs, in particular for sizes smaller than 10 μm in the largest dimension, and including the most demanded polymer types in Europe. These MNPs are generated by road traffic (tire wear particles and brake wear particles), diesel combustion, and other sources near densely populated areas (such as ports, airports, industries, etc.). The global objective of UPRISE is to unravel mechanisms by which air exposure to UFPs, including MNPs and carbon black, interferes with normal fetal development, with a short-term causal effect in the higher likeliness of preterm delivery, which, in consequence, preconditions a higher likeliness to suffer non-communicable disease in the adulthood. The newly generated knowledge will support the definition of safe levels for the researched pollutants and will be exploited in novel decision support tools and guidelines for governments and policymakers, as well as training materials to empower the targeted vulnerable groups towards well-informed, conscious prevention strategies.

01 January 2025 - 31 December 2029