Nanoplastics: Hidden Connections and Emerging Risks | Conference in the European Parliament

Recording of the conference at the European Parliament in Brussels. On February 24, 2026, an international expert conference titled “Nanoplastics: Hidden Connections and Emerging Risks” was held in Brussels, Belgium. The conference was dedicated to the issue of micro- and nanoplastics, invisible pollution that is increasingly affecting the environment, human health, and global natural processes.

The event, held under the auspices of Member of the European Parliament Ing. Ondřej Knotek and in close cooperation with the ALLATRA Global Research Center, brought together leading scientists, experts, and political representatives to open a constructive dialogue on the risks and possible solutions.

The opening part of the conference emphasized the need to broaden environmental and climate discussions to include the factor of micro- and nanoplastics, which are now penetrating the air, water, food chain, and the human body. A call was made for a systematic approach, interdisciplinary cooperation, and an open dialogue between science, politics, and the public. The issue was presented not only as an environmental problem, but also as a health, social, and ethical one.

The first expert block focused on the nature of micro- and nanoplastics as a new global factor. The discussion highlighted that these particles are capable of circulating within the biosphere and penetrating living organisms. Findings were presented demonstrating their presence in the blood, organs, and even in reproductive tissues. Micro- and nanoplastics therefore cannot be viewed solely as a waste management issue, but rather as a complex physical and chemical phenomenon with potential systemic impacts.

The second block focused on the biological mechanisms of nanoplastics’ effects. Insights were presented on their ability to penetrate cells, interact with cellular structures, and influence energy processes. The discussion also addressed reproductive health and the possible impacts of long-term exposure to plastic particles. The need for further research, unified methodologies, and standardized protocols for assessing health risks was emphasized.

The third block expanded the discussion to the planetary level. Micro- and nanoplastics were presented as a factor that may influence the water cycle, cloud formation, the exchange of gases between the ocean and the atmosphere, and heat transfer in the oceans. The discussion pointed to possible connections with extreme weather events and disruptions of natural processes. It was also noted that the time window for understanding and addressing these phenomena is limited.

The final block focused on concrete steps for the future. The need to establish unified European standards for monitoring smaller particles, harmonize research methodologies, and strengthen interdisciplinary cooperation between medicine, environmental sciences, and geosciences was emphasized. The discussion also addressed the integration of this issue into EU political and regulatory frameworks, as well as the importance of active public engagement.

CONFERENCE SPEAKERS:

Ing. Ondřej Knotek

Pastor Mark Burns

Prof. Antonio Ragusa, MD

Maryna Ovtsynova

John Ahn, Ph.D., MBA

Anna Kotlyar, MSc

Jan Kára, Ph.D.

Alexander Masny, MSc

Watch the recording of the conference and join the professional discussion on one of the most significant environmental and health challenges of our time.