The Rapids US EPA's Trash Free Waters Monthly Update February 2022


The Rapids

US EPA's Trash Free Waters Monthly Update
February 2022

epa. gov/trash-free-waters

Introduction

Hello all,

The Environmental Investigation Agency published a report last month titled "Connecting the Dots:
Plastic Pollution and the Planetary Emergency." The document outlines the many impacts associated
with plastic production and consumption and recommends that UN member states should prioritize plastic
prevention policies and support a global plastics treaty.

In other news, the U.S. Plastics Pact, made up of more than 100 businesses, non-profit, and government
organizations as part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Plastics Pact Network, published a
"Problematic and Unnecessary Materials Report" on January 25. This identifies eleven plastic
packaging items that are not currently reusable, recyclable, or compostable at scale in the U.S.

Please continue to share any upcoming events with Layne Marshall (marshall.layne@epa.gov) so that
the Trash Free Waters team can advertise these opportunities with all of you on the first Monday of each
month.

Thanks,

Romell Nandi
US EPA

Trash Free Waters National Program Lead

EPA Announcements

Release of the Region 8 Trash Free Waters Tribal Program Handbook

The Trash Free Waters team in EPA's Region 8 Office (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT and WY) has developed a
handbook to assist Tribal governments, Indigenous communities, and other relevant stakeholders to
develop and implement projects that reduce trash in waterways on Tribal lands. This handbook provides
basic information on project design, implementation, and funding to serve as a starting point for those

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interested in taking action to reduce escaped trash in their community. This resource was developed
specifically for Region 8 Tribes, but it may be helpful to other communities as well.

TFW Hosts "~!b Webinar in Series

The TFW Program's January 20th webinar, "Outreach and Education for Trash Free Waters - What Makes
a Successful Campaign?" drew over 230 attendees from local, state, and federal government offices,
NGOs. universities, and businesses. Guest speakers provided the audience with practical information on
how to craft an effective anti-littering or source reduction outreach campaign and discussed common
barriers to achieving desired behavior changes and strategies for overcoming these barriers. A recording
of this webinar will be posted on the TFW website later this month.

TFW Program Educational Trifold

The TFW team recently completed the development of a trifold brochure outlining the TFW program's
mission, goals, services, and achievements. The intention of this resource is to help educate partners about
TFW as a voluntary, non-statutory program.

EPA Recognizes WasteWise Award Winners for Innovations in Waste Reduction
EPA announced National WasteWise (WW) award winners for 2020 and 2021. These award winners
prevented and diverted close to 408,000 tons of waste from landfills and incinerators. Instead, they saved
over $22.5 million in avoided landfill tipping fees and prevented climate and other environmental impacts
associated with waste management.

Creation of a "Citizen Science at EPA" StorvMap

The EPA recently published a storymap outlining agency-supported citizen science efforts. The resource
offers an in-depth look into how to engage the public in environmental protection.

Funding Opportunities

Research to Reduce Consumer Food Waste in the United States (EPA-G2022-STAR-E1)

EPA. as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking applications proposing cutting-
edge transdisciplinary research (integrating diverse disciplines such as behavioral science, psychology,
economics, public health, and sociology) to develop, apply, and test innovative and creative community-
engaged approaches and methods to reduce U.S. household food waste through prevention. The deadline
for submissions is February 9.

FY22 Gulf of Mexico Bay-Watershed Education and Training (NQAA-NMFS-SE-2022-2007159)
The National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Regional Office is seeking proposals under the Gulf of
Mexico B-WET Program. This funding announcement focuses on the following priority areas: 1)
Professional Development for Teachers related to Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences. 2)
Exemplary Programs combining Teacher Professional Development with Meaningful Watershed
Educational Experiences for their students. 3) Systemic Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience
Implementation, and 4) Capacity Building for Expanded Statewide K-12 Environmental Literacy
Initiatives. The deadline for submissions is February 18.

Alaska Marine Education and Training Mini-Grant Program (NQAA-NMFS-AK-2022-2007143)

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The National Marine Fisheries Service is soliciting competitive applications for projects seeking to
improve education and training on marine resource issues throughout the region and increase scientific
education for marine-related professions among coastal community residents. The deadline for
submissions is April 1.

01A Coral Reef and Natural Resources Program 2022 (OIAQIA-CRNR2200043)

The U.S. Department of the Interior's Coral Reel" and Natural Resources Initiative provides grant funding
for management and protection of coral reels and to combat invasive species in the U.S. insular areas. The
deadline for submissions is April 1.

The PADI AWARE Mission Hub Community Grants

The PADI AWARE Mission Hub Community Grants (Funding Cycle 0222) are open to funding ocean
protection initiatives and projects that directly advance the PADI Blueprint for Ocean Action, in direct
support of the United Nations Decade of Science for Sustainable Development. Marine debris is one of
the five recommended project proposal categories. The deadline for submissions is April 22.

Other opportunities...

KeIIogg-M.organ Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge

Teams of graduate students from around the world are invited to develop and pitch creative financial
approaches to tackle pressing social and environmental challenges through this competition. Plastic waste
is specifically mentioned as a potential project focus. A total of 414 students from 87 schools across 50
countries competed last year. The first-place winner will receive $10,000. Project prospectuses are due
February 13.

Earthshot Pri/e

Plastic Pollution Coalition (PPC) is seeking scalable solutions to nominate for The Earthshot Pri/e. PPC
will prioritize nominating projects that address the plastic pollution crisis at the source by seeking ways to
reduce single-use plastic production and use. center environmental justice, and have the potential to scale
in the next few years to make an even bigger impact. Two of the predetermined project category focus
areas include: Revive Our Oceans and Build A Waste-Free Would. Winners of The Earthshot Pri/e will
be granted GBP £1 million. To be considered, fill out a nomination form by February 14.

World of 7 Billion Student Video Competition

Through the World of 7 Billion student video contest, hosted by Population Connection, middle and high
schoolers are given the platform to think critically about global challenges related to population and share
what they think we should do to fix it. Each entry must focus on one of following global challenges as it
relates to population growth: Ocean Health. Urbanization. or Agriculture and Food. The maximum video
length is 60 seconds. The deadline for submissions is 5PM ET February 22.

EPA's "Companies Crushing Pollution" Video Challenge

The "Companies Crushing Pollution" Video Challenge invites students and others including people who
live near industrial facilities to create videos illustrating how businesses in the U.S. are reducing toxic
chemical releases through innovative pollution prevention (P2) practices, and by having a positive impact
on the environment and communities. Participants have a chance to win up to $5,000. All videos must be
submitted by March 1.

EPA Environmental Justice Video Challenge for Students

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EPA and partners have launched the Environmental Justice Video Challenge for Students to enhance
communities" capacity to address environmental and public health inequities. The goals of the challenge
are to: Inspire students at accredited colleges and universities in the U.S. and its territories to work directly
with communities in the identification and characteri/ation of EJ challenges using data and publicly
available tools and help communities address EJ challenges and/or vulnerabilities to environmental and
public health hazards using data and publicly available tools. Video submissions should be less than 6
minutes in length. Submissions are due April 1.

Upcoming Events

Advancing the Circular Economy in Your C'ommiinitv

February 9th (11AMET)

Join this Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) webinar to learn from circular economy
champions around the nation on their journey toward advancing the circular economy in their
communities. Furthermore, learn how to identify your own role and the tangible steps you can take, as an
individual or organi/ation. on creating circular economies in your communities. Guest speakers will
include representatives from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, as well as the City of Phoenix, Seattle
Public Utilities, and Dane County Department of Waste & Renewables.

2022 Waste Management Sustainability Forum

February 9th (12-3. 30PMET)

Waste Management's (WM) Sustainability Forum event will feature compelling conversations around the
following topics: Net Positivity. Partnering for Circularity. The Art of Innovation. Speaking Up for
Environmental Justice. Climate and Culture, and Successful Sustainability Leaders.

Warm up to UNEA 5,2: Towards a decision to launch negotiations for a new global agreement on
plastics pollution
February 10th (7AMET)

GRID-Arendal and the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment invite you to join a series of
webinars to learn and exchange knowledge on the scope of a UNEA 5.2 global agreement on plastic
pollution, including: insight into National action plans, the role of the United Nation systems, criteria on
sustainability and possible financing mechanisms, and understanding of plastic recycling myths and what
"taking a lifccycle approach" means in practical terms.

Trash Free Texas Webinar: Making the Most of New Resources for Reducing Litter

February 10th (11:30AMET)

Join the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) for its latest Trash Free Texas webinar.
which will include a presentation from Keep Texas Beautiful on how to use the Texas Litter Database to
enter and store litter clean-up data, an overview of two new Trash Free Texas toolkits and new "Partner
Packet." and an update on the next Mayor's Challenge clean-up event to be held this spring.

What's Next for Waste and Recycling in 2022

February 10th (2-3:30PM ET)

The U.S. waste and recycling sector is in for another year of rapid changes to address workforce issues,
environmental, social, and governance (ESG) expectations, climate concerns, legislative and regulatory

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policy, industry competition, environmental justice and more. Join Waste Dive for an exclusive, insightful
discussion about what this all may mean for the year ahead and how we are planning to tackle it.

Global Waste Management Symposium
February 14-17th, Indian Wells, CA

North America's #1 technical conference for research and case studies on waste management will include
world-class content, state-of-the-art breakthrough research, solutions for big challenges, networking
opportunities, and innovative presentations. The conference will feature sessions on waste
characterization, solid waste planning, environmental justice, recycling, and more.

Warm up to UNEA 5,2: Towards a decision to launch negotiations for a new global agreement on
plastics pollution
February 15th (7AMET)

Scientists' Declaration on the Governance of Plastics Throughout their Lifecvcles
February 16th (4AM ET)

This upcoming webinar is hosted by Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and marks the launch of
the scientists" declaration (statement) on the governance of plastics in advance of the UN Environment
Assembly next month, where the mandate for a new plastics treaty w ill be discussed. During the event, a
range of international experts w ill provide evidence-based recommendations for how the upcoming treaty
should be designed to ensure its effectiveness and utility.

"Don't Look Down": How Misinformation & Science Denial Obscures the Global Plastics and
Climate C risis
February 16th (5PM ET)

Join the Plastic Pollution Coalition for this discussion on the impacts of plastics on climate and human
health and how science denial and misinformation are used to prevent urgent and transformative solutions
from being adopted. We will be joined by Yvette Arellano. Founder & Executive Director of Fenceline
Watch; Shilpi Chhotray. Co-Founder & Executive Director of People Over Plastic; and Dr. Michael Mann.
Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science & Director. Earth System Science Center. Pennsylvania
State University, whose work and persona provided inspiration for Leonardo DiCaprio's character in the
satirical film Don't Look Up.

2022 Ocean Sciences Meeting
February 24th - March 4th

Co-sponsored by the American Geophysical Union (AGU), the Association for the Sciences of Limnology
and Oceanography (ASLO). and The Oceanography Society (TOS), the Ocean Sciences Meeting is the
global leader in ocean sciences conferences. Sessions include: "Plastic Litter Pathways Between Land.
Freshwater and Oceans." "Chemical Methods to Understand Marine Plastic Pollution Quantities, Sources.
Transport. Fate. Impacts and Solutions." and more.

Save the dates for future months..

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World Ocean Summit Virtual Week
March l-4'h

Attendees can join Economist's 9th annual World Ocean Summit from anywhere in the world, free of
charge. This global event will bring together the broadest cross-section of the ocean community while
featuring six industry tracks: shipping, fishing, aquaculture. energy, tourism, and plastics. The goal of the
plastics track is to identity new solutions to the growing global problem of marine plastic pollution.

Plastics Recycling Conference 2022
March 7-9th, near Washington, D.C.

The Association of Plastic Recyclers hosts this gathering of plastics recycling and sustainability
professionals, bringing together more than 2,000 industry decision makers for networking and discussion
of key trends annually.

3" World Conference on Waste Management
March 10-11th

The theme of this year's Global Waste Management Conference is "Challenges & Practices on Waste
Management and COVID-19 Post-Pandemic." One of the conference tracks will focus on the future of
plastics recycling.

EWRI Operation & Maintenance of Stormwater Control Measures

March 13-16'h, Wilmington, NC

The Environmental & Water Resources Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers is hosting a
conference where attendees can learn from national leaders in green and gray stormwater infrastructure,
including design for maintenance. O&M training programs, new maintenance approaches, advances in
municipal program management and implementation, life cycle analysis, and lessons learned from the
field.

State ; Erie Conference (SOLE22)

March 16 -18th, Cleveland, OH (virtual participation option as well)

Hosted by the International Association for Great Lakes Research, this conference will feature two days
of concurrent sessions, plcnarics. field trips, and discussions. The series promotes collaborations between
the science and policy communities—particularly lake-specific research, management, education, and
nonprofit organizations—to broaden the discussion and provide diverse interaction among stakeholders.

Blue Economy Summit

March 18 -19th, Durham, NC

Hosted at Duke University in March 2022, the first-annual Blue Economy Summit will bring together
diverse ocean stakeholders from industry, government, non-profits, and academia to identify the most
promising opportunities to bring this vision to life. The Blue Economy Summit will create a collaborative
setting where students and professionals can critically reflect on current ocean trends and challenges,
facilitate productive conversations, and enable effective ocean stewardship actions.

Our Ocean - Palau 2022

April 13- 14th, the Republic of Palau

Our Ocean will focus on six Areas of Action, convening partners from across the globe to identify solutions
to manage marine resources, increase the ocean's resilience to climate change and safeguard its health for
generations to come. One of the key actions is tackling marine pollution. This panel will focus on
opportunities and approaches to stop pollution at its source as well as highlight the need for effective local
management of coastal catchments.

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Beyond Plastic Pollution Virtual Class- Spring 2022
April 13th -May 25th (Wednesday evenings from 7-9PMET)

This in-depth seven-week online masterclass on all things plastic pollution-related is offered by the
founder and President of Beyond Plastic Pollution. Judith Enck. via Bennington College's Center for the
Advancement of Public Action. The class is open to anyone, from high school student to concerned
community member. The cost of enrollment is $100. Space is limited so reserve a spot now if interested!

The Giilf of Mexico Conference 2022
April 25-28th

The Gulf of Mexico Conference (GoMCon) combines the annual Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA) All
Hands Meeting, the annual Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystems Science (GoMOSES) Conference,
and the triannual State of the Gulf Summit. This conference seeks to promote the integration of science
and management into decision-making. GoMCon will feature a wide variety of session themes including
citi/en science and education, water quality and quantity, and emerging issues including marine debris.

Virtual Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference 2022

April 26-2 7th

The theme of this year's Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference is "Honoring our Ancestors: Visions for Future
Generations and the Salish Sea." The conference typically attracts about 1,500 participants and has become
the premier scientific research and policy gathering in the Pacific Northwest. Conference presentations
and discussions will serve as a platform to build shared policies, practices and procedures necessary to
guide future actions for protecting and restoring the Salish Sea and its watersheds.

WasteEipo

May 9-12th, Las Vegas, NV

Whether you are from the private sector, a small, medium or large public sector waste management
company, organics management, or food waste management company, or a manufacturer or supplier from
the U.S. or abroad, count on Waste Expo to bring the entire industry together under one roof. 2022
conference tracks include: Operations. Fleet & Safety. Recycling & Landfill. Business Insights & Policy,
and Tcell & Innovation.

Circularity 22

May 17-19'h, Atlanta, GA

As the leading convening of professionals building the circular economy. Circularity 22 offers thought-
provoking keynotes, informative breakouts, a solutions-oriented expo and engaging networking
opportunities. The goal of this conference is to encourage moving beyond individual action to catalyze
systems change and accelerate the circular economy. Tracks include next-gen products and packaging,
bio-based solutions, policy and infrastructure, and more.

Rel Focus Sustainability & Recycling Summit

May 23-25'h, Cincinnati, OH

Hosted by the Plastics Industry Association, the Refocus Sustainability and Recycling Summit addresses
the real-world challenges you lace as your company pushes recycled content and sustainable
manufacturing from goals and promises to action.

In case you missed it...

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Reckoning with the U.S. Role in Global Ocean Plastic Waste

A NOAA Seminar Series Webinar titled "Reckoning with the U.S. Role in Global Ocean Plastic Waste"
was held in mid-January to discuss a recent report to Congress. The event featured guest speakers Margaret
Spring. Chief Conservation and Science Officer at Monterey Bay Aquarium; Jenna J am beck. Professor at
the University of Georgia; Michelle Gierach. Senior Scientist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; and
Mary Donohue. Specialist Faculty at the University of Hawai'i Sea Grant College Program.

The Climate Consequences of Plastics

This virtual briefing was originally hosted by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) in
December 2021. Guest speakers included Dick Ottinger. EESI Board Chair Emeritus and former U.S.
Representative (D-N.Y.), Judith Enck. President of Beyond Plastics; Jim Vallette. Co-Founder and
President of Material Research L3C and Miriam Gordon, Policy Director at Upstream.

Salvaging Solutions to Abandoned and Derelict Vessels Series

The NOAA Marine Debris Program is excited to announce that recordings for all the Salvaging Solutions
to Abandoned and Derelict Vessels monthly webinar topics are now available. This 2021 webinar series
featured almost 30 different experts who shared perspectives and solutions from across the country on
common abandoned and derelict vessel issues to help communities better deal with them.

Minimum Post-Consumer Recycled Content Model Legislation for Plastics

Starting in 2020, a group of state recycling officials from the northeast worked together to develop draft
Model Legislation for minimum post-consumer recycled plastic content in trash and carry-out bags and
food, beverage, and household product containers. During this webinar, Northeast Waste Management
Officials" Association (NEWMOA) and the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) reviewed the draft
Model Legislation as a common starting point in the development of this kind of legislation.

Emerging Contaminants: A Look at Microplastics

This webinar, hosted by the North Central Region Water Network, takes a deep dive into microplastics
and the ongoing research surrounding their pathways into our waterbodies and the effects on the
ecosystem. Featured speakers included Sherri Mason. Director of Sustainability. at Penn State - Bchrcnd
and Melissa Duhaime. Assistant Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evoluntionary Biology at the
University of Michigan.

The Microplastics Breakdown

SOURCES, FATE AND TRANSPORT OF MICROPLASTICS

From Bottle to Microplastics: Can We Estimate How Our Plastic Products are Breaking Down?

Joana Marie Sipe, Nathan Bossa, William Berger, Nataliavon Windheim, Ken Gall, Mark R. Wiesner
The authors observed that there is lack of data to predict the rates of microplastics (MPs) generation as a
function of abrasive forces. To help fill this gap. they developed a method to deliver scalable, quantitative
release rates of MPs during mechanical stress throughout a plastic's life cycle. This included the use of a
custom abrasion machine. They tested the generation rate of MPs through the abrasion of 3D printed
polymers: polylactic acid (PLA), polycarbonate (PC), thermoplastic poK urethane 85A (TPU),
polyethylene glycol terephthalate (PETG), high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), and nylon. Each polymer

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underwent tensile strength material tests to identity which mechanical properties drive their abrasion
rate. No correlation was found betw een the abrasion rate and macroscopic mechanic properties. The results
were found to indicate that the order of abrasion from most to least were HIPS, nylon. PC. PLA. PETG.
and then TPU. Results help provide a better understanding of the generation rates of MPs from consumer
plastic products and macro-plastic debris. This, the authors pointed out. will be instrumental in helping to
better understand the release of MPs and nanoplastics into the environment and to provide data for late
and transport models, especially in order to predict the amount of plastic entering water systems. MP
generation rates and power inputs can be correlated with each plastic's use to inform which release the
most MPs and how to change these products in order to reduce pollution in water sources.

Microplastics Retained in Stormwater Control Measures: Where do Thev Come from and Where
do Thev Go?

Vera S.Koutnik, Jamie Leonard, Joel B. Glasman, Jaslyn BraraHatic, Ceylan Koydemir, AnnaNovoselov,
Rebecca Bertel, Derek Tseng, Aydogan Ozcan, Sujith Ravi, Sanjay K. Mohanty

This study is based on the hypothesis that the number of MPs accumulated in stormwater control measures
(SCM) may be underestimated and that there is MP accumulation via continuous atmospheric deposition.
Additionally, authors also assert there is a potential downward mobility to ground water. The researchers
analyzed the spatial distributions of MPs above ground on the canopy around SCM and below ground in
the subsurface in and outside the boundaries of fourteen SCM in Los Angeles. With the assistance of a
model, they were able to link subsurface retardation of MPs to the median particle si/e of soil and land
use. Their results indicated that despite receiving significantly more stormwater. MP concentrations in
SCM at surface depth or subsurface depth were not significantly different from the concentration at the
same depth outside the SCM. The authors concluded that this indicates stormwater is not the sole source
of MPs in SCM. High concentrations of MPs on leaves of vegetation in SCM were found and this suggests
the contribution of atmospheric deposition is significant. Within and outside the SCM boundary. MPs were
found to have been removed within the top 5 cm of the subsurface, and their concentration decreased with
depth, which indicated there is limited potential for groundwater pollution from the microplastics
accumulated in SCM. Additionally, outside the SCM boundary, the subsurface retardation coefficient was
determined to decrease with increases in soil particle si/e. indicating straining of MPs as the dominant
removal mechanism. Inside the boundary of SCM. however, the retardation coefficient was independent
of the median soil particle si/e. implying to the authors that MPs could have either moved deeper into the
filter layer in SCM or that compost, mulch, or organic amendments used in the filter media were pre-
contaminated with MPs.

IMPACTS OF MICROPLASTIC EXPOSURE

Characteristics and Differences of Microplastics Ingestion for Farmed Fish with Different Water
Depths. Feeding Habits and Diets

Zhou Aiguo, Sun Di, Wang Chong, Chen Yuliang, Xie Shaolin, Liu Peiqin, Xu Guohuan, Tang Huijuan,
Zou Jixing

The researchers in this study examined 68 fish from five different fish species: grass carp; silver carp; mud
carp or dace; nile tilapia; and vellowhead catfish from aquaculture ponds in Nanslia. Guangzhou,
Guangdong China. These fish were described as the most commonly consumed fish in China and were
chosen on the basis that they live at different water depths and had different feeding habits in a typical
aquaculture farm. The area of each sampling pond was about 10 acres, the water depth was 1.8-2.0 meters.
The level of MPs in the fish was determined and correlated with their feeding habits and with the number,
color and si/e of the MPs materials in the gills and digestive tracts. MPs were found in all of the fish; with
an average of 10.01 items/individual. The plastics were also detected in 91.18% of the gills and gastro-
intestinal tracts (GITs). Three shapes for the MPs were identified: fibers, fragments and films, with fibers

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being the most prevalent. The authors indicated MPs likely came from a variety of sources including
fishery and human activities. The number and abundance of MPs differed according to species and GITs
and gill tissues in the same fish, consistent with previous studies. For example, omnivorous fish had a
greater accumulation of MPs than herbivorous and carnivorous fish; and MP accumulation was found to
be the greatest in the fish species living at lower water depths. The shape of ingested MPs were similar
across the fish species; however, there were variations identified in the colors. The article concluded that
MPs pollution is a hidden danger for the consumption of aquatic food. Mitigation and removal of MPs in
aquaculture systems, is therefore, a concern both for fish health and food safety.

Exposure to Microplastics Leads to a Defective Ovarian Function and Change in ( vtoskeleton
Protein Expression in Rat

Asm a Haddadi, Kaouthar Kessabi, Sana Boughammoura, Mariem Ben Rhouma, RaniaMlouka, Mohamed
Banni, ImedMessaoudi

The main objective of this study was to assess the impact of oral exposure, during four estrous cycles, to
5 jim polystyrene-type-microplastics (MPs) on ovarian function in rats. Two types of 5 jim si/ed spherical
MPs were used in this study: 1) fluorescent particles of polystyrene (FPS-MPs). which was used to evaluate
the accumulation and distribution of MPs in the duodenum and ovary of the rats; and 2) pristine particles
(PPS-MPs). which were used for toxicological tests. Twenty-one female adult Wistar rats Rattus
norvegicus, with a regular estrous cycle, were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (n = 7)
receiving ultrapure water and a group (n = 14) receiving 0.1 nig/day of MP during four estrus cycles. Seven
of the animals in the experimental group received the FPS-MPs and the other animals received PPS-MPs.
They found that the FPS-MP accumulation was significantly higher in the duodenum than in the
ovary. Significant decreases in body weight gain, in the relative weight of the ovaries and in the levels of
two cytoskeleton proteins were found at the end of the experiment in PPS-MP-exposed animals. Changes
in the duration of the estrous cycle, several alterations in the ovary structure and reduction in estradiol (an
estrogen hormone) concentration were also observed in the rats treated with PPS-MPs. The authors
concluded that their results could provide support for the possibility that there is a risk to women's
reproductive health risk from exposure to MPs.

From Properties to Toxicity: Comparing Mlcroplastics to Other Airborne Mlcroparticles
Simon Wieland, Aylin Balmes, Julian Bender, Jonas Kitzinger, FelixMeyer, Anja FRMRamsperger, Franz
Roederg Caroline Tengelmannh, Benedikt H. Wimmer, Christian Laforsch, Holger Kress
In this study, authors examined potential drivers of airborne MP toxicity to help adequately assess MP
impact on human health. They pointed out the physiochemical properties like si/c. shape, electrokinetic
potential, adsorbed molecules and pathogens, and the MP's bio-persistence have been proposed as possible
drivers of MP toxicity but their role in MP toxicity is largely unknown. With the goal of addressing this
gap. they reviewed the literature on toxicologically well-studied non-plastic
airborne microparticles (asbestos, silica, soot. wood, cotton, hay). The article then described MP-
associated diseases, which mainly focused on people working in the textile, flocking, and VC/PVC (vinyl
chloride/polyvinyl chloride) industries, which are industries associated with very high MP concentrations.
The authors observed that due to these high levels of exposure to MP. it was possible to link occupational
diseases to MP pollution, many of which occurred in the lung and the gastrointestinal tract, the primarily
exposed organs. Authors suggested future studies should quantity the magnitude of breathable MP
pollution in outdoor and indoor environments, because smaller MP particles may not only be more readily
respired but may also interact stronger with cells and tissues due to their relatively larger surface area.

MICROPLASTIC POLL UTION REMOVAL AND RECYLCLING

B lent Strategies for the Removal of Microplasttcs from Freshwater Systems. A Rev iew

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Martina Miloloza, Matija Cvetnic, Dajana Kucic Grgic, Vesna Ocelic Bulatovic, Sime Ukic, Marko
Rogosic, Dionysios Dion Dionysion, Hrvoje Knsic , Tomislav Bolanca

This review focused on the biodegradation of the five kinds of MP: polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl
chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, and polystyrene. This review provides a detailed background
discussion of biodegradation and describes the state of the science on several topics including,
bioremediation, biodegradation by fungi, biodegradation by bacteria, biodegradation by mixed consortia,
and combination of processes for MP removal. Some key aspects of biodegradation were identified,
including microorganisms capable of degrading MPs differ based on characteristics of the environment in
which the biodegradation occurs; and the rate of biodegradation depends on the physiological state of the
applied microorganism. Other determinants of the mechanism and rate of biodegradation were polymer
properties such as surface area, hydrophobicity, morphology, functional groups, molecular weight,
flexibility, glass transition temperature, melting temperature, elasticity, tacticity, crystallinity, and type
define the mechanism and rate of the biodegradation. Notably, the authors found that across the studies
reviewed there were inconsistencies in the characterization procedures and of the sample compositions,
e.g., various matrices or diversities regarding the MP size and shape; which significantly complicated the
comparison of reported results. One of their significant conclusions was that a path for the promising
progress in biodegradation is hard to define but the greatest potential lies in synergistic actions of various
microorganisms, i.e., the application of microbial consortia, or in combinations of biodegradation with
chemical or physical treatments for the removal of microplastics.

How to Build a Microplastics-Free Environment: Strategies for Microplastics Degradation and
Plastics Recycling

Junliang Chen, Jing Wn, Peter C. Sherrell, Jim Chen, Huaping Wang, Wei-xian Zhang, Jianping Yang
The authors analyzed published literature from 2004 to November of 2021 and highlighted several pieves
of research, including articles focused on the degradability of typical synthetic plastics in the marine
environment and the degradation resistance of microplastics (MPs) and their long-term toxic effects on
marine organisms; analytical methods for aquatic MPs, uptake of MPs in aquatic organisms, and toxicity
effects on these aquatic organisms; and the environmental effects on degradation rates of MPs with respect
to their shape, size, and chemical composition. They observed that pioneering researchers have begun to
emphasize the importance of developing efficient strategies to mitigate MPs contamination. They also
found that even though researchers have identified the insufficiency of traditional technologies in practical
application for MPs removal, the published reviews mostly focused on summarizing traditional physical
methods rather than discussing the potential alternatives and their challenges. Though wastewater
treatment plants (WWTPs) are regarded as reliable filters to trap all kinds of pollutants existing in the
municipal water, it has also been reported that the effluent from WWTPs is actually a key outlet for
releasing MPs to our natural environment. A fairly detailed description of currently available
recycling/recovery methods is included; the topics ranging from mechanical recycling to the cracking of
plastic wastes for energy recovery. The article concludes with six recommendations for furthering research
and actions that could be taken to tackle MP pollution.

If you'd like to see your posting in this email, please email
Marshall.Layne@epa.gov with any suggestions!



EPA Trash Free Waters Program



.gov 1 epa.gov/trash-free-waters

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