Program

29/09/2023

Microplastics: Environmental Protection and Environmental Health Aspects

There is more and more microplastics to be found in oceans and rivers, as well as in the air, drinking water and food. Microplastics are present in different tissues of organisms, but there is insufficient data on its harmful effects, and a lack of research precludes a risk assessment for human health.

 

13:30-14:30

Faculty of Education, Lecture Hall no. 012, Kardeljeva ploščad 16, Ljubljana

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These topics will be highlighted in a lecture by Agnes Šömen Joksić, PhD, and Viviana Golja, PhD, (National Institute of Public Health); the event will be moderated by Katarina Mlinarec (Faculty of Education, Centre KemikUm).

Microplastics are small particles of different polymer materials, usually smaller than 5 mm (0.2 in). In terms of their origin, there are primary and secondary microplastics.

Primary microplastics are intentionally produced micro-sized and are added to different products, such as microbeads in skin peeling creams. Secondary microplastics are the result of the degradation of a plastic product in the environment.

Potentially toxic ingredients in a plastic material, which can be released from the polymer structure due to environmental processes, are particularly problematic. It is a fact that the risk to the environment and, consequently, to humans will increase if microplastics pollution continues at the current rate.

Lecturer: Agnes Šömen Joksić, PhD, and Viviana Golja, PhD,  National Institute of Public Health

Moderator: Katarina Mlinarec, Faculty of Education, Centre KemikUm