Regulatory Overview and Control Strategies to Prevent Migration of Microplastics to the Environment from Production Facilities

Regulatory Overview and Control Strategies to Prevent Migration of Microplastics to the Environment from Production FacilitiesAbstractRegulations requiring control of microplastics from manufacturing facilities are in nascent stages with no clear guidelines yet defined. Regulatory guidelines indicate control of “visible plastics” without specifying quantitative standards. Plastic resin manufacturers, recognizing the need to be proactive, are left to interpret “visible plastics” and to define quantitative criteria for control technology selection and design. An innovative approach is needed to cost-effectively control and treat large volumes stormwater for design storms. This will require sophisticated stormwater modeling, defining treatment standards, and developing a storage and treatment approach that will meet the compliance objectives. Number of studies have been done where this approach is being applied. This paper shares the overall strategy, high-level takeaways, and provides guidance for best practices.Approximately 380 million tons of plastic per year are produced worldwide. At multiple points throughout the manufacturing, handling, loading, and shipping processes, plastic powder and pellets at manufacturing facilities can be released to the surrounding environment. While regulations for microplastics are still evolving, control and treatment of stormwater is critical to prevent offsite migration. Innovative approach is needed to cost effectively handle and treat large volumes of stormwater.SpeakerDAVE, SAMIRPresentation time09:00:0009:20:00Session time08:30:0010:00:00SessionUpdates on Microplastics Occurrence, Regulation, and RemovalSession locationRoom S404a - Level 4TopicAdvanced Level, Disinfection and Public Health, Microconstituents and Contaminants of Emerging Concern (Non-PFAS), Research and InnovationTopicAdvanced Level, Disinfection and Public Health, Microconstituents and Contaminants of Emerging Concern (Non-PFAS), Research and InnovationAuthor(s)Dave, SamirAuthor(s)S. Dave 1; R. Ballard 1 ; S. Dave 1; R. Ballard 1;Author affiliation(s)Brown and Caldwell 1; Brown and Caldwell 1 ; Brown and Caldwell 1; Brown and Caldwell 1;SourceProceedings of the Water Environment FederationDocument typeConference PaperPublisherWater Environment FederationPrint publication date Oct 2023DOI10.2175/193864718825159075Volume / Issue Content sourceWEFTECCopyright2023Word count17