European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) launches inter-laboratory study to measure microplastics in water; will send spiked samples to 130 laboratories, evaluate their independent measurement results, identify methods to further harmonize
February 11, 2020
National Academies workshop on microplastics
U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine hold two-day workshop on emerging technologies to advance microplastics research, address environmental health questions; recorded speaker presentations and other information now available
January 21, 2020
EFSA scientific colloquium on micro, nano plastics in food
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to host meeting focusing on coordinated approach to assessing human health risks of micro and nanoplastics in food on October 15-16, 2020 in Lisbon; call for abstracts open until January 31, 2020
January 13, 2020
WHO calls for expert consultation on future microplastics report
World Health Organization announces expert consultation meeting March 2-3, 2020 in Geneva to inform new report on human health risks from exposure to microplastics in environment; applications due January 19, 2020
December 13, 2019
Screw caps a source of microplastics
Scientists find increased release of microplastic particles after repeated open/close cycles in screw-cap plastic bottles, no release from bottle walls; call for more research on degradation of food contact plastics
November 25, 2019
Letter urges EU ministers to reject microplastics restriction
34 NGOs and alliances recommend environment ministers reject ECHA’s current proposed restriction on microplastics, cite concerns over exceptions included for biodegradable microplastics and exceptionally long transition periods
October 16, 2019
Plastic Health Summit talks published
Event brings together scientists and advocates to discuss latest research on micro- and nanoplastics, plastic additives, and health; presentations recorded and now publicly available
October 15, 2019
Recommendations for improving microplastics research
Marine biologist criticizes inconsistencies and unrealistic techniques used to study microplastic pollution; recommends avoiding nets for sampling, microscopes for counting; promotes using non-spherical microplastics and allowing time for elimination; researchers should focus on quality over quantity
October 7, 2019
Study finds microplastics harm immune cells
Researchers at University Medical Center Utrecht observe that immune cell death rate triples after contact with microplastics; presents results at Plastic Health Summit in Amsterdam on October 3, 2019
October 1, 2019
Plastic tea bags release billions of particles
Researchers measure micro- and nanoplastics released from plastic tea bags during brewing; find over 14 billion particles released per bag, record dose-dependent behavioral and developmental effects on daphnia
