Sustainability at Exponent: Webinar and In-person Tour

Tiny Fibers, Big Problems: An Introduction to the Contributors, Environmental Impact, & Regulation of Microplastics

• Sponsored by SPE Golden Gate Section

• 12:00 – 2:30PM, Menlo Park, Learn more and register

• Erin Kirkpatrick, Ph.D., Brian Jing, Ph.D., Sadella Santos, Ph.D.

Microplastics have recently gained more attention due to their ever-growing presence in the environment, however, their impact is not fully understood. They originate from a variety of sources including the intentional addition of small plastic particles to certain consumer products and the degradation of larger plastic materials from post-consumer use, such as from synthetic fibers from textiles. Currently, there is a lack of federal regulation focused on targeting the pathways that microplastics are introduced into the environment. Further, due to the lack of regulation, there is a lack of scientific consensus on the appropriate standard methods for identifying and characterizing microplastics. This review will discuss the current definition of microplastic and their sources, current and developing regulation, the available standards and quantification methods, and comment on the dynamic landscape of the textile industry’s contribution to microplastics.

Lunch will be provided for in-person attendees.

For the virtual event, register here.

Event Schedule

Noon – 1pm PST: Webinar and Lunch (for in-person attendees)

1:15-2:30pm: Exponent Lab Tour (Chromatography/FTIR labs, Microscopy Spaces, Inspection Areas)