- An integrated Horizon Europe project addressing the impact of emerging pollutants on human health and biodiversity
Brussels, 30 January 2026 – The ONE-BLUE project was showcased at the European Parliament during an event presenting a study on health in Europe. The initiative highlighted ONE-BLUE’s integrated approach to studying the presence and impact of emerging pollutants on human health and biodiversity.
During the event, Juan Manuel Revuelta, Director General of Finnova, underlined the importance of this Horizon Europe project, which adopts a multidisciplinary and integrated framework to address complex environmental and health challenges. By doing so, ONE-BLUE supports Europe’s broader health-protection objectives.
Revuelta also drew attention to the growing concern surrounding microplastics and nanoplastics, noting their potential implications for both environmental and human health. “Current estimates suggest that humans ingest quantities of micro- and nanoplastics comparable to the weight of a credit card,” he remarked. “Beyond their well-documented effects on marine life, emerging data also points to possible accumulation in the brain.” He added that these findings highlight the urgent need to advance research in this field—an effort that ONE-BLUE actively pursues through its integrated and multidisciplinary approach.
Contribution to Europe’s health agenda
The session also stressed the strategic relevance of the Horizon Europe ONE-BLUE project, highlighting the importance of incorporating scientific evidence on exposure and toxicity—including that related to micro- and nanoplastics—into public decision-making and awareness-raising efforts. ONE-BLUE’s research aims to contribute to more effective protection of both human health and biodiversity.
Speakers at the event included Members of the European Parliament Elena Nevado del Campo and Nicolás González Casares, as well as Josune Méndez, Secretary General of the Association of Dependency Services Companies (AESTE) and Jesús González, Director General of Prestomedia.
The discussion emphasised ONE-BLUE’s contribution to Europe’s health agenda, stressing that safeguarding public health also requires recognising and addressing the environmental drivers that influence it.