MOMENTUM 3.0

Creating MOMENTUM

In 2018, ZonMW funded a number of breakthrough projects on the health effects of microplastics. The knowledge from these projects was subsequently brought together in the Microplastics and Human Health Consortium MOMENTUM. Universities, research institutes and companies join forces in this consortium to map risks to human health and to develop solutions. In 2025, a new phase started MOMENTUM 3.0.

Test materials

High quality test materials are one of the foundations of microplastics research. For a long time, however, these were lacking. By combining its expertise in plastics and particles, TNO, together with several partners in MOMENTUM 1 and 2, developed realistic microplastic test materials. These materials were used in the project to investigate health effects. Because the particles are both realistic and well standardised, results can be compared more reliably across studies.

Exposure

An important knowledge gap concerns how many microplastics we take in through the air. In MOMENTUM 3, TNO, Utrecht University and the University of Groningen are therefore investigating both the amount of microplastics in indoor air and the factors that influence this.

This includes everyday activities such as vacuuming and doing the laundry, as well as the role of plastic consumer products in the home, such as furniture, floors and curtains. In addition, the team is exploring which measures can help to effectively reduce exposure, for example air cleaners, improved ventilation and behavioural changes.

Distribution in the body

A key part of risk assessment for microplastics is understanding the uptake and distribution of microplastics in the human body. Measuring conventional microplastics in the human body is very difficult. That is why TNO uses its unique microtracer expertise to safely and accurately measure the uptake of microplastics in the human body for the first time. The first results of this research are expected during 2026.

Working together towards fewer microplastics

Microplastics are everywhere, and their presence is expected to increase in the future. We therefore call on consortia, companies and governments to work with us on solutions that reduce the risks of microplastics by:

• Designing products that release fewer microplastics, with tools such as TNO’s MicroPlastics Index (MPI) providing guidance.
• Reducing exposure, for example through better occupational health guidelines, improved ventilation and smart technical measures.
• Further strengthening research to better understand the harmful effects of microplastics.

Are you interested in taking the next step with us towards a future with fewer microplastics and better health?