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Topical Discussion: Understanding Microplastic Fate and (Eco) Toxicity Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Summary
This study assessed microplastic contamination in freshwater systems of a remote mountainous region with minimal local human activity, finding particle concentrations that exceeded predictions based on local inputs alone. Atmospheric deposition was quantified as a significant input pathway, demonstrating that no surface water body is isolated from global microplastic contamination.
A global agreement to end plastic pollution must be based on pertinent, multi-disciplinary knowledge. Considering the entire life cycle impacts of plastics and substitutes is essential to achieve sustainable solutions rather than shifting the burden.Hence, this process requires considerations of fossil-based and biobased feedstocks for plastic production, plastic chemicals and additives, plastic degradation pathways and intermediates, environmental impacts, ecotoxicological and human health effects, socio-economic costs, etc. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a tool to assess the entire life cycle impacts considering many mid and end-point impact categories such as climate change, ecotoxicity, human toxicity, biodiversity loss etc. However, the current LCA methodological approaches have limitations in including the impacts ofmicroplasticsin the LCA.The two Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) interest groups (Microplastics and LCA interest groups) bring this into the discussion at Dublin's 33rd Europion Annual Meeting.