The effects of microplastics on humans and aquatic organisms are the subject of a growing body of scientific study. All these data are now collected in the Toxicity of Microplastics Explorer (ToMEx), a continuously updated open access and open source database.
ToMEx, the database on the effects of microplastics
ToMEx was submitted on 5/28/22 in the journal Microplastics and Nanoplastics by Leah M. Thornton Hampton of the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (USA) and 17 co-authors from other research institutions in the United States, Canada, and Europe (Norway and the Netherlands). (1)
The goal of the database is to provide scientists and environmental experts with a shared platform where they can consult and publish studies on the effects of microplastics on humans and aquatic organisms.
Appeal to the scientific community
The database is divided into two areas, effects on humans and effects on aquatic organisms. It can be searched by setting different search keys: by polymer, by type of exposure, by evidence collected in vivo or in vitro, etc.
Data collection is updated to 2020. The authors urge the scientific community engaged in microplastics research to upload peer-reviewed toxicity studies. The materials provided are subject to further scrutiny by two or more independent researchers before being added to the database.
Knowing to deliberate
Consultation of ToMEx is very useful for researchers who can quickly select even understudied fields of research.
The tool is also a valuable source for risk assessment and management of plastic pollution, as well as for regulatory forecasting. In fact, ToMEx was created to support California in developing safe thresholds for exposure to microplastics. An urgent need across the planet.
Marta Strinati
Notes
(1) Thornton Hampton L., M. P. et al. (2022). A living tool for the continued exploration of microplastic toxicity. Microplastics and Nanoplastics. DOI: 10.1186/s43591-022-00032-4. https://microplastics.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s43591-022-00032-4
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
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