Division/Committee: [AGFD: Division of Agricultural and Food Chemistry] [POLY: Division of Polymer Chemistry]

The fragmentation of environmental plastic waste into microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) has become a pressing global issue. These small particles, generally defined as plastic objects with at least one dimension <5 mm, are found in a wide range of natural environments and have generated concern due to their potential to contaminate human food sources. However, limited information is available regarding the fate, prevalence, and potential health impacts of MNPs (i.e., toxicity and exposure). Moreover, analytical methods for detecting MNPs vary considerably in terms of quality and means of application. This symposium will focus on the current knowledge and challenges related to the identification and quantitative detection of MNPs in human food and water, their potential health impacts, and associated safety implications. Topics will include the sources of MNPs and their occurrence in food, their potential impact on human health, methods for recovering and characterizing MNPs, current regulatory landscape, and potential mitigation strategies.

Dr. Xuetong Fan

Lead Scientist, USDA

Appearances