Past
Topics
Thank you for joining us for an interactive discussion on human exposure to and related health effects of microplastics in the environment
This event was organized by the Environmental Health Matters Initiative in collaboration with the Roundtable on Plastics.
Microplastics are small pieces of plastic less than five millimeters long and have a variety of sources, including from the breakdown of larger plastic products, personal care products, and industrial processes. They are persistent in the environment and contribute to soil, land, and water pollution. Recent studies have detected microplastics in many human tissues and have been linked to systemic health effects such as inflammation and other health issues, but how dangerous they are still lacks evidence-based answers. This webinar is intended to provide a baseline of information on microplastics, the concerns, how complex this issue is, and our starting point for assessing human health risks.
A moderated discussion between Margaret Spring (Monterey Bay Aquarium) and Robert Ellis-Hutchings (The Dow Chemical Company) covered what we know about microplastics and their health implications. This conversation was followed by a multisectoral panel discussion with Susanne Brander (Oregon State University) Imari Walker-Franklin (RTI International), Anil Patri (FDA), and Scott Coffin (CA OEHHA). This conversation brought to bear what has been tried worldwide, successfully or not, the lessons to draw upon, and the path forward to bridging research gaps in science and data to inform hazard, exposure, and health risks from microplastics.
The conversation was recorded and is available below. Please also see our program news covering significant takeaways from this webinar.
The Environmental Health Matters Initiative is a forum that aims to equitably improve the health of all people through evidence-based solutions to environmental health issues. The Roundtable on Plastics explores and advances systemic solutions and interventions across each stage of the life cycle to catalyze the development of innovative solutions to the plastic pollution and waste problem.
Materials
- Ellis-Hutchings, Spring - Microplastics Presentation
- Webinar 1 Additional Resources
Disclaimer
Organizers
Major units and sub-units
Gulf Research Program
Primary
Transportation Research Board
Primary
Health and Medicine Division
Primary
Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences
Primary
Division on Earth and Life Studies
Primary
Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education
Primary
Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice
Primary
Board on Health Sciences Policy
Primary
Board on Energy and Environmental Systems
Primary
Board on Infrastructure and the Constructed Environment
Primary
Board on Life Sciences
Primary
Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology
Primary
Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology
Primary
Board on Environmental Change and Society
Primary
Board on Human-Systems Integration
Primary
Contact
More like this
Discover
Events
Right Now & Next Up
Stay in the loop with can’t-miss sessions, live events, and activities happening over the next two days.
NAS Building Guided Tours Available!
Participate in a one-hour guided tour of the historic National Academy of Sciences building, highlighting its distinctive architecture, renowned artwork, and the intersection of art, science, and culture.