Microplastics: A Discussion on the Latest Findings from the WHO

Webinar, Zoom
12/01/2023
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Watch the webinar recording:

About

Earlier this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a state-of-the-science report to assess the potential health risks associated with exposure to microplastic. The report, “Dietary and inhalation exposure to nano- and microplastic particles and potential implications for human health,” builds off the WHO’s previous report on the potential effects of microplastics in drinking water published in 2019. An international group of experts was assembled by the WHO to review the available data and publish the current report.

Join us as three of the report’s authors, Alan Boobis of Imperial College London, Todd Gouin of TG Environment Consulting, and Stephanie Wright of King’s College London discuss the results and the future challenges and research needs of the report.

Co-hosted by the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and ILSI Europe.

Registration

Speakers

Dr. Alan Boobis, OBE

Faculty of Medicine, National Heart & Lung Institute @Imperial College LondonOrganization

Bio HereDr. Alan Boobis is emeritus Professor of Toxicology, Imperial College London where he was a member for over 40 years. His main research interests lie in mechanistic toxicology, mode of action and chemical risk assessment. He has published over 250 original research papers (H-factor 80). He is or has been a member of several national and international advisory committees, including current chair of the UK Committee on Toxicity, member of the WHO Study Group on Tobacco Product Regulation (TobReg), FAO/WHO JECFA (veterinary residues) and FAO/WHO JMPR (pesticide residues). He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) and of the Board of Directors of ILSI Europe. Dr. Boobis is a fellow of several learned societies and has received a number of prestigious awards, including Officer of the British Empire (OBE).

Todd Gouin

Environmental Chemist @TG Environment

Dr. Todd Gouin received a PhD specializing in the field of environmental chemistry from Trent University, in Canada, through the Watersheds Ecosystems Graduate Programme in June 2006. Following his graduate studies, Dr. Gouin, has obtained both experimental and modelling experience in assessing diverse chemical exposures including current use pesticides in Costa Rica and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Arctic regions of Alaska. More recently, he worked on the development and application of tools aimed at both screening and prioritization of chemicals and higher-tier risk assessment methods for Unilever. He now provides consults on a range of cutting-edge topics, including the development and application of risk assessment methods for particulates, such as microplastic particles, nanomaterials, and UVCBs, as well as the development and application of models to better assess chemical exposures for both humans and the environment.

Stephanie Wright

Environmental Research Group, Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Environment and Health @Imperial College London

Dr Stephanie Wright is a Lecturer in the Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London (ICL). Her research focuses on microplastics, specifically in exposure and biological impacts, which began with a PhD at the University of Exeter. She then joined King’s College London and held two fellowships before moving to ICL. Now, she leads the Microplastics team, whose interdisciplinary research addresses the issue of human exposure to microplastics, specifically, quantifying airborne microplastics in health-relevant size fractions; developing techniques for the detection of microplastics in complex environmental and biological matrices; and assessing the toxicity of microplastics using human in vitro models.

Dr. Isabelle Guelinckx

Scientific Director @ILSI Europe

Scientific Director at ILSI Europe, Brussel, Belgium since September 2019. She received her MSc and Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. She also completed a second Master of Science in Physical Activity and Health at the University Maastricht, the Netherlands and a professional Bachelor in Dietetics and Nutrition at the Catholic College Leuven, Belgium. After 10 years within academia, Isabelle jointed the central R&D of Danone Nutricia Research, France where she managed R&D projects and later on R&D team. Her major research focus with over 40 publications was on the nutritional assessment of fluid intake via the Liq.in7 surveys in populations worldwide. At ILSI Europe Isabelle is responsible for the identification and implementation of scientific profolio, Eu-funded projects and the link with the Scientific Advisory Committee.

John Norman

Senior Director, Regulatory & Scientific Affairs @American Chemistry Council

John Norman (or “Norm”) is a Senior Director at the American Chemistry Council (ACC). Norm manages ACC’s microplastic portfolio which includes a research program working with academic and regulatory scientists to assess the effects of microplastics in the environment. Norm served as an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Congressional Fellow in Senator Kirsten Gillibrand‘s office from 2012-2013. Norm earned his Ph.D. in Toxicology from the University of Rochester in 2007 and his Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law in 2011.