The LABPLAS Project Contributions to the MICRO2024 International Conference

From September 23-27, 2024, the Canary Island of Lanzarote, Spain, hosted the 5th Edition of the International MICRO 2024 Conference. The event brought together researchers and policymakers from around the world to address the complexities of plastic pollution, from macro to nano. Several partner institutions of the LABPLAS Project, including Universidade da Coruña, Universidade de…

LABPLAS Project Partners Showcase Research at 2024 SETAC Conference

Partners of the LABPLAS project recently attended the 2024 SETAC conference to showcase their respective research progress to address plastic pollution. Todd Gouin – Enviro Research Presented a model depicting relative risks of microplastic particles being vectors for plastic additive chemicals. Based on the findings, it appears that environmental releases of these chemicals from consumer…

POS2IDON Tool: LabPlas Project’s Evaluation of an Advanced System for Satellite Surveillance of Marine Debris

In the fight against marine plastic pollution, scientists and policymakers are constantly looking for new technologies to detect and monitor the problem— as well as reduce it. An innovative tool named POS2IDON has been unveiled through the EU LabPlas project, which could change our approach towards monitorization of marine plastic debris. POS2IDON is an advanced…

Advancing the Battle Against Ocean Microplastic Pollution: Insights from the UN Ocean Decade Conference Satellite Event

On April 9th, amidst the prestigious backdrop of the 2024 UN Ocean Decade Conference, a pivotal satellite event titled “Global Awareness, Research Activities and Network to Address Ocean Microplastic Pollution” convened at the PRBB-Barcelona Biomedical Research Park. Spearheaded by NORCE and IAEA, and jointly organized with esteemed partners including AIR Centre (representing the LabPlas Project),…

Size definition of microplastics

Currently, microplastics are predominantly defined as plastic particles below 5 mm in size (Arthur et al., 2009) . This includes most pellets, which are macroscopic and easily distinguished from actual pieces resulting from plastic fragmentation, and with a different chemical composition as they often lack the chemical additives added in the compounding phase of plastic…

Driving Towards Cleaner Oceans: Addressing the Threat of Car Tyre Emissions

What is the main problem? Car tyres, through abrasion on road surfaces, release tiny particles known as tyre wear particles (TWPs), which pose significant risks to ecosystems and human health. These particles accumulate in soils and water bodies, contributing to microplastic pollution in rivers and oceans. Roadside drainage systems play a major role in transporting…

European Commission’s New Initiatives to Regulate Intentional Microplastic Additions

Last September 25th, the European Commission made a significant move to safeguard our environment by adopting measures that restrict the sale of intentionally added microplastics in products, in accordance with EU chemical legislation (REACH). These new regulations (COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2023/2055) will prevent the release of approximately half a million tonnes of microplastics into the…