Plastic Pollution – The scale of global plastic production is astonishing and the only other industrial materials created by man at a larger scale are steel and concrete! Mismanagement of plastic waste results in millions of metric tons entering our environment. Some of this waste is intentional (e.g. microbead exfoliants, tire wear, textile washing) and some accidental. It is estimated in 2015 alone, between 3.5 and 12 million metric tons entered the environment. To put this in perspective 34.5 million metric tons of corn were produced in the US in 2015!*
Microplastics are of specific concern which are defined as plastic particles < 5 mm in size. Humans are exposed to microplastic every day through diet and dust. Little is known surrounding the potential health risks associated with microplastic consumption and long-term exposure. The ability of plastic resins to support microbial biofilms and absorb chemicals or toxic metal ions makes their consumption potentially hazardous. Microplastics can be challenging to detect and identify their composition in products destined for human consumption because of their small size.
The Peterson Research group aims to develop biocompatible tools to assist in determining the composition of microplastic of mixed samples and to repurpose enzymes to assist in their decomposition. We are working with Dr. Keisuke Ikehata, Dr. Bob McLean, and others on aspects of this project. For more information regarding this project, feel free to contact Ryan.
* 2015 = 13.6 Billion Bushels of Corn produced in US @ 56# / Bushel and 0.453 g/lb and 1000 kg/ton/10^6 = 34.5 million metric tons Ref 2015 USDA Crop Production Summary ISSN: 1057-7823
An excellent resource to learn more on microplastic related research can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtkQ5gVsiKs5nG620DC3YdQ
Current and past students working on this project:
Nicolas Coral – Major Chemistry ’22
Kobe Graham – Major Electrical Engineering ’24