A Sea of Microplastics, A World of Exposure

15 May, 7:30 pm, Cosmos Hall

Plastic production has risen dramatically over the past century. Although these low-cost durable materials have allowed countless applications that support modern life, they also fragment into persistent smaller pieces. Plastic particles smaller than 5 mm are called microplastics. First reported in oceans and seas, microplastics have since been detected in every environmental and biological matrix examined to date. This raises key questions: what do microplastics mean for the long-term functioning of ecosystems, and do they pose a risk to human health? Find out more with Joana C. Prata, DVM PhD, Auxiliary Professor at the University Institute of Health Sciences in Porto, Portugal.

In partnership with Portuguese Cultural Center Camões – Embassy of Portugal