Microplastics and nanoplastics (MPs & NPs) are a growing environmental and human health concern. These tiny plastic fragments are ubiquitous, contaminating our food, water, and air. While research is ongoing, the potential health risks of human exposure to MPs & NPs remain largely unknown. This interdisciplinary international symposium aims to convene leading scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders to address this critical issue. Our focus is on the characterization of microplastics and nanoplastics, methods of measurement, exposure pathways, mechanisms of MPs & NPs-induced toxicity, risk assessment, strategies for intervention and prevention, and the potential for translation from basic bench science to population studies, or public policy. Our objective is to foster coordination, exchange, and disseminate information and to explore MPs & NPs-induced health effects.
Essential Goals of the Symposium
Knowledge Sharing: Providing a platform for researchers to share their latest findings on MPs & NPs exposure pathways, potential health effects, and analytical methodologies. Collaboration: Fostering collaboration between scientists, health professionals, and policymakers to identify research gaps, develop risk assessment strategies, and create mitigation plans. Public Awareness: Raising public awareness about MPs & NPs pollution and its potential health impacts to drive change in consumer behavior and encourage policy action. |
Target Audience
o Environmental scientists, toxicologists, and medical researchers studying MPs & NPs. o Public health professionals and epidemiologists. o Regulatory agencies and policymakers. o Industry representatives involved in plastic production and waste management. o Environmental NGOs and advocacy groups. |
o John Yu (Professor, College of Nursing, Reproductive Toxicology, UNM)
o Mathew Campen (Professor, College of Pharmacy, UNM)
o Jose Cerrato (Professor, Environmental Science & Engineering, UNM)
o Leo Trasande (Pediatrician & Epidemiologist, NYU School of Medicine)
o Phoebe Stapleton (Rutgers University)
o Aaron Erdely (NIOSH)
o Nigel Walker (NIEHS)
o Heather Patisaul (NIH, Division of Translational Toxicology)
o Sanjay Rajagopalan (Case Western University)
o Flemming Cassee (RIVM)
o Julia Cui (University of Washington, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences)
o Dimitri Abramson (UCSF, Plastic Exposure & Toxicology)
o Philip Demokritou (Rutgers University, Nano Safety)
o Stacey Harper (Oregon State University)
o Marcus Gracia (College of Pharmacy, UNM)
o Beizhan Yan (Lamont Science, Columbia University)
The symposium program will feature a dynamic mix of presentations and discussions designed to foster collaboration and advance our understanding of microplastics and nanoplastics. Expect:
Registration fees and categories (e.g., Early Bird, Standard, Student, Low/Middle-Income Country) will be announced soon. Please check back for details.
We welcome abstracts related to all aspects of MP & NP exposure and health, including (but not limited to):
All attendees, speakers, sponsors, and volunteers are expected to:
Harassment, intimidation, discrimination, or disruptive behavior in any form will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to: