Microplastics; occurrence, levels and implications for environment and human health related to food. Scientific opinion of the Scientific Steering Committee of the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment

Research report

Year of publication: 2019
External websites: Nasjonalt vitenarkiv
Involved from NIVA: Amy Lusher
Contributors: Janneche Utne Skåre, Jan Alexander, Marte Haave, Ignacy Jakubowicz, Helle Katrine Knutsen, Amy Lusher, Martin Ogonowski, Kirsten Eline Rakkestad, Ida Skaar, Line Emilie Sverdrup, Martin Wagner, Angelika Agdestein, Johanna Eva Bodin, Edel O. Elvevoll, Gro Ingunn Hemre, Dag Olav Hessen, Merete Hofshagen, Trine Husøy, Åshild Krogdahl, Asbjørn Magne Nilsen, Trond Rafoss, Olaug Taran Skjerdal, Inger-Lise Steffensen, Tor A Strand, Vigdis Vandvik, Yngvild Wasteson Show all

Summary

The steering committee of VKM has self-initiated a mandate for an opinion on microplastics based on recently published international and/or national reports complemented with literature from December 2016 to February 2019. The mandate requested a summary of the state of knowledge on the presence of microplastics in the environment and the implications for the ecosystem, terrestrial and aquatic organisms, food production and human health. An overview of main national and international ongoing initiatives was also requested, and highlighting of data gaps where specific Norwegian data was needed. VKM appointed a working group consisting of two VKM members and eight external experts (two are former VKM-members), in addition to a project leader from the VKM secretariat to write the assessment.