Seminar on Environmental and Health Impacts of Micro plastics conducted by Institute of Chemistry Ceylon
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Microplastics (MPs), present in the environment in different forms as very small pieces, such as fragments, fibers and foam, are generated from plastics.
MPs, which enter natural ecosystems from a variety of sources, including cosmetics, clothing, and industrial operations, have negative impact on the environment as well as on human health due to high level of fragmentation and penetration. Therefore, investigation of occurrence and distribution of MPs in various matrices, mainly marine and freshwater environments, which are the ultimate sinks of MPs, is important. Due to ingestion of MPs by a wide range of marine species, effect of MPs pollution on biota as well as human could be more harmful.
Further, the presence of MPS in various human organs has already been reported. Studies have shown that extremely carcinogenic compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) can be accumulated in microplastics. They can travel through food chains and able to cause severe health risks to humans and other fauna.
Detection of MPS in various environmental compartments through reliable means should thus be developed. Techniques that have been used for their detection include density separation, Raman spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy.(FTIR)
This seminar will focus on generation, chemistry, environmental and health effects and detection of microplastics. In this seminar, you will receive the complete knowledge about this novel threat, which can be the next great disaster for the human, other living organisms and environment.
This seminar will be hosted at Institute of Chemistry Ceylon as a webinar on 8th of April 2021.This webinar will be coordinated by Dr. Sisira Weliwegamage, Senior Lecturer, Institute of Chemistry Ceylon. For further details contact the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon Office 011- 2861231, 0114015230 or Mr GWC Sampath Perera (Scientific Officer R&D)-0759406041 (Gwcsp84@gmail.com)www.ichemc.edu.lk
Dr.Sisira Weliwegamage
Senior Lecturer, Institute of Chemistry Ceylon.