Invisible Worlds: The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment reports on the state of research and public perception of microplastics at the Zeiss Großplanetarium Berlin
What it's about:
Omnipresent and virtually invisible, microplastics form, among other things, through tyre wear, decomposing plastic bottles or when washing synthetic clothing. But how do we measure what we cannot see? What challenges does this pose? And how well does the picture we have of microplastics correspond with the current state of research? The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) will answer these questions on 18 April 2026 at the event ‘Invisible Worlds: From the Microcosm to the Universe’ at the Zeiss Großplanetarium Berlin. “Although modern measurement techniques offer ways of making microplastics visible, every method has its limitations,” says Dr Holger Sieg, head of the Microplastics Working Group at the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. Based on the current state of knowledge, it is unlikely that microplastics in food pose health risks to humans. However, further research is needed. “The challenge of risk communication lies in presenting scientific uncertainties transparently without causing anxiety,” says Dr Robin Janzik from the Risk Communication Department at the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment.
The presentations by BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment researchers on microplastics form part of a three-day programme of events (16–18 April) at the Zeiss Großplanetarium in Berlin, specifically in the Prenzlauer Berg district, where everything revolves around the microscope. Through workshops, fulldome programmes, lectures and live performances, a journey from the microcosm of life to the infinite vastness of the universe is presented.
How do we measure what we cannot see?
In the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment lecture ‘From Asteroids to Microplastics’, Holger Sieg demonstrates how modern technologies help to detect and analyse these tiny plastic particles. When we talk about microplastics, we are usually referring to particles ranging in size from one micrometre (equivalent to 0.001 millimetres) to five millimetres. Whilst we can still see the larger particles with the naked eye, most microplastic particles are invisible to us. However, the size of the particles determines not only whether we can see them, but also what happens to them once they have entered our bodies. Although microplastic particles reach the intestine after being swallowed, even the smallest particles under one millimetre are too large to overcome biological barriers and spread throughout the body; they need to be significantly smaller. And the smaller the particles, the harder they are to detect.
Between research and public perception
In the second BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment lecture, Robin Janzik examines how science, the media and public perception are interlinked – and the gap that often exists between the current state of scientific knowledge and societal perception. Whilst science, politics, the media and the general public are engaged in intense debate about potential health risks, the question arises: to what extent does what we believe we know about microplastics and their behaviour align with the current state of research? Public perception can be shaped by media imagery. Images such as ‘a plastic spoon in the brain’ leave a lasting impression. But what is the actual scientific reality behind them? How well informed are people about the topic of microplastics – and how does this influence their concerns? The answers to these questions are crucial when it comes to ensuring that communication about microplastics is targeted and understandable.
Event details
Venue: Zeiss Großplanetarium, Prenzlauer Allee 80, 10405 Berlin
Date & time (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment presentation): 18 April 2026 from 6.30 pm to 8.00 pm
Find out more:External Link: https://www.planetarium.berlin/veranstaltungen/vom-asteroiden-zu-mikroplastik
The entire event takes place from 16–18 April 2026.
All articles on “Invisible Worlds: From the Microcosm to the Universe” can be found here:
External Link:https://www.planetarium.berlin/veranstaltungen/unsichtbare-welten-2026
Further information on the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment website regarding microplastics
Questions and answers on microplastics www.bfr.bund.de/fragen-und-antworten/thema/mikroplastik-fakten-forschung-und-offene-fragen/
BfR press releases, Microplastics – What do we know today? External Link:https://www.bfr.bund.de/press-releases/mikroplastik-what-do-we-know-today/ |
podcast.bfr.bund.de/3-mikroplastik-kleine-partikel-grosses-risk-003
About the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) is a scientifically independent body within the remit of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Home Affairs (BMLEH). It works to protect human health through preventive measures in the fields of public health and veterinary public health. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment advises the Federal Government and the German federal states ("Laender") on issues relating to food and feed safety, chemical safety and product safety. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment conducts its own research on topics closely related to its assessment tasks.