NEWS
New protocol to test nanoplastics
Finnish researchers have published what they say is the first harmonised exposure protocol for ecotoxicity testing of micro- and nanoplastics. Existing ecotoxicity studies often use commercial spherical particles as models for micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs), said the researchers – even though, in nature, they occur in variable shapes, sizes and chemical compositions. “Moreover, protocols developed for chemicals that dissolve or form stable dispersions are currently used for assessing the ecotoxicity of MNPs,” said the researchers, from the University of East Finland. “These protocols are not optimal for studying MNPs, as plastic particles do not dissolve and also show dynamic behaviour in the exposure medium.”
The new exposure protocol considers the particle-specific properties of MNPs and their dynamic behaviour in exposure systems. It ena- bles, for instance, the production of more realistic MNPs that resemble those in nature. The protocol also describes exposure system develop- ment for short- and long-term toxicity tests for soil and water organisms. The researchers give examples of using the protocol to test, for exam- ple, MNP toxicity in marine rotifers, freshwater mussels, daphnids and earthworms. The protocol takes between 24 h and two months, depending on the test of interest, said the researchers. The research was published in
Nature Protocols. �
www.uef.fi
Suedpack expands in France
Suedpack Medica has expanded medical packaging production at its site in Coulmer, France. The site mainly manufactures sterile barrier pouches – under ISO 7 clean room conditions – such as those used for packaging implants. It also produces reel material and lidding made of film, Tyvek and paper. In future, it will also focus on making header bags, especially for large-
www.filmandsheet.com
www.brueckner.com
volume medical technology products that typically undergo ETO sterilisa- tion. Typical applications include syringe nests and pipette boxes. “The expansion will allow us to position ourselves more strongly in the pharmaceutical sector and medical goods industry,” said Thomas Freis, managing director of Suedpack Medica. �
www.suedpack-medica.com
BOPE packaging for our future sustainability
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IMAGE: SUEDPACK
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