Microplastics are widespread environmental contaminants found in our food, water, and air. They have also been detected throughout the human body, including in our blood, lungs, saliva, liver, semen, placenta, and breastmilk.
As exposure becomes unavoidable, there are rising concerns about how microplastics may be impacting human health. Although the research is still emerging, a growing body of evidence links microplastic exposure to adverse health effects.
A recently published review from UCSF’s Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment evaluated over 3,000 studies, finding that exposure to microplastics is suspected to pose a hazard to human digestive, reproductive, and respiratory systems. The review calls for the implementation of policies to reduce microplastics in the environment, including banning intentionally added microplastics and phasing out unnecessary and avoidable plastic use.
In the CHE Alaska webinar, study authors Dr. Nicholas Chartres and Abena BakenRa will discuss their review of the latest research on microplastics and human health.
Featured Speakers
Abena BakenRa, MPH, is a Science Associate working with the Science, Policy & Engagement team at the Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment (PRHE). In her role with PRHE, she manages the Science Action Network, coordinates the public commenting efforts in response to EPA chemical rulemaking, and leverages her expertise in public health to advance PRHE’s mission. She received her MPH from the University of California, Berkeley, specializing in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. There, she researched place-based impacts on racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes. Through her research, Abena aims to address health effects in underserved and under-resourced communities, especially among historically oppressed groups.
Nicholas Chartres, PhD is a Senior Research Fellow at The University of Sydney. He specializes in studying commercial determinants of health, focusing on chemicals, nutrition and public health. Nicholas has extensive experience in evidence synthesis, including the use of systematic review methods and works with international organizations and agencies to implement empirically based methods to develop guidelines and risk assessments to ensure improved consistency, greater transparency, and reduced bias when evaluating the scientific evidence and formulating recommendations.
This webinar will be hosted by the CHE-Alaska Partnership, which is coordinated by Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT). Driven by a core belief in environmental justice, ACAT empowers communities to eliminate exposure to toxics through collaborative research, shared science, education, organizing, and advocacy.