UPRISE: Unravelling ultrafine particulate matter and micro nano plastic mechanisms of impact on fetal health

UPRISE (Unravelling ultrafine particulate matter and micro-nanoplastics’ mechanisms of impact on fetal health) aims to investigate how airborne Ultrafine Particles (UFPs) and Micro and Nano Plastics (MNPs) affect fetal development, particularly their potential to increase the risk of preterm birth (PTB) and subsequent non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The project integrates environmental monitoring, toxicology, epidemiology, and advanced data modelling to establish causal relationships between pollutant exposure during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes (ABOs). The findings are intended to inform regulatory standards and health policies, offering tools and guidance to mitigate pollution-related risks during pregnancy.

Context

Air pollution remains one of the leading environmental health risks globally, yet the effects of ultrafine particles (UFPs) and micro and nanoplastics (MNPs) —especially during pregnancy— remain poorly understood. These tiny airborne particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, cross biological barriers like the placenta, and potentially reach the fetus. Recent studies have detected black carbon and microplastics in human reproductive tissues, raising concerns about their role in adverse birth outcomes such as preterm birth (PTB).

PTB affects around 8% of births in Europe and is linked to long-term health risks including non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Despite this, current regulations do not address UFPs or airborne MNPs, due to limited data and the absence of standardized detection methods.

It should also be noted that urban populations are particularly vulnerable, as UFPs and MNPs are prevalent in cities due to traffic emissions, industrial activity, and plastic degradation. However, exposure assessments and mechanistic evidence specific to pregnancy are lacking. UPRISE addresses this urgent knowledge gap by combining environmental monitoring, toxicology, clinical studies, and policy engagement to uncover how these pollutants affect fetal development.

Summary and objectives

The overarching goal of the UPRISE project is to comprehensively understand how exposure to ultrafine particles (UFPs) and micro and nanoplastics (MNPs) during pregnancy contributes to adverse birth outcomes (ABOs), particularly preterm birth (PTB), and increases long-term risk for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). By combining multidisciplinary research approaches, UPRISE aims to generate robust scientific evidence for policymakers, support the development of safe exposure limits, and promote the implementation of preventive strategies.

To translate this vision into action, the project is structured around a set of key general objectives that define its scientific, technical, and societal direction. These objectives include:

Identifying causal links between air pollutant exposure and ABOs, especially PTB.
Quantifying pollutant concentrations and exposure levels in urban environments.
Investigating how UFPs and MNPs interact with biological systems, particularly at the maternal–fetal interface.
Supporting policy action by defining exposure thresholds and creating a decision-support toolbox for regulators and health professionals.

Specific objectives

UPRISE is structured around six specific objectives:

Developing exposure databases and assessment models for UFPs and MNPs in various European environments: Deploy sensor networks in Valencia (Spain), Thessaloniki (Greece), and Hasselt (Belgium) to measure UFP and MNP levels, model pollutant dispersion, and create databases of exposure patterns across different urban environments.
Assess the causal relationship between exposure to the targeted pollutants and adverse birth outcomes such as PTB, LBW and SGA: Conduct a birth cohort and case-control study with 1,600 participants, as well as a collection of biological samples for biomonitoring, linking pollutant exposure data with clinical outcomes like PTB, low birth weight (LBW), and small for gestational age (SGA).
Researching the uptake and toxicity of UFPs and MNPs in the placenta, for varying levels of exposure: Use advanced in vitro models of the placenta and fetal development to examine how UFPs/MNPs cross biological barriers and induce toxicity. Analyze real human tissue samples for pollutant presence and effects.
Clarifying molecular mechanisms of interaction for UFPs and MNPs: Apply multiomics (epigenomics, transcriptomics) and in silico models to identify the adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) triggered by pollutant exposure. Integrate findings from human and in vitro studies to map mechanisms leading to ABOs.
Delivering a toolbox for facilitating the exploitation of the generated clinical and environmental data, as well as new knowledge, in policy decision making: Develop a modular, web-based toolbox with visualization, simulation, and risk assessment tools to support air quality policy design and implementation, aligned with updated EU Air Quality Directives.
Facilitating the design of health management policies, through the preassessment of the impact of potential mitigation actions: Evaluate long-term health impacts of prenatal pollutant exposure using burden of disease models. Propose mitigation measures and conduct stakeholder training, targeting health professionals and at-risk populations (e.g., pregnant women).

Project Consortium

Fundación para la Investigación del Hospital Universitario La Fe de la Comunidad Valenciana (Spain)
ITENE – Instituto Tecnológico del Embalaje, Transporte y Logística (Spain)
University of Tampere (Finland)
International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (Portugal)
QSAR Lab Sp. z o.o. (Poland)
Hasselt University (Belgium)
Hellenic National Public Health Organization (Greece)
AXON ENVIRO-GROUP (Greece)
European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (Germany)
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece)
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (Finland)
Yordas GmbH (Germany)
Universidad de Valencia (Spain)
Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt (Switzerland)

ITENE’s Role

ITENE plays a key role in UPRISE, contributing with the environmental exposure monitoring, modelling, and biological analysis within the project. Its contributions span across several methodological tiers:

Monitoring: Leads indoor and outdoor UFP and MNP measurement campaigns in pilot cities. This includes deploying wearable sensors, air sampling devices, and in-house developed UFP counters, enabling personal exposure assessments for pregnant women.
Modelling: Contributes to the development of multimedia models (adapted from H2020 PLASTICFATE), estimating airborne MNP concentrations and exposure levels. It also supports the creation of urban zoning maps and exposure group classifications.
Biomonitoring: Co-leads the analysis of biological samples (blood, placenta) using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques to detect UFPs and MNPs, providing direct evidence of pollutant uptake during pregnancy.
Toolbox development: Is responsible for building the policy support toolbox, a modular web platform integrating environmental and clinical data for use by policymakers. The tool includes simulation engines, risk dashboards, and early warning systems.

Through these activities, ITENE provides essential technical expertise that connects environmental science with public health, supporting both data generation and actionable outputs for regulatory impact.