Do you consider it important to focus on the fight against plastic pollution?

I believe that it is not only important, but also urgent, without neglecting other forms of pollution, to address the plastic problem, given the magnitude it has reached. The current scenario shows that the production of plastics continues to grow by leaps and bounds, so it is essential to take measures now that allow us to know their levels and distribution in the environment, to help minimize and mitigate their impact.
 

How can this problem be addressed from your research area ?

From my research area we address microplastics pollution in the environment. These are particles smaller than 5 mm that can originate from the degradation of larger plastics due to exhibition to heat, light or use for example, as well as from their intentional incorporation in consumer products such as cosmetics and staff care products, e.g. exfoliating creams or toothpastes.

In our laboratory we perform environmental monitoring to study the presence and distribution of these particles in different environments, such as natural waters (rivers, lakes and reservoirs), soils or air. In the laboratory we determine the amount of particles that may be present in these environments and study their composition Chemistry to evaluate the possible origin of these plastics.
 

Are you participating in any project related to this issue? Tell us briefly! If not, what project or idea would you like to implement to tackle plastic pollution?

At the moment I do not participate in specific projects that address the issue, but we do have important collaborations with international institutions such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to contribute to harmonize microplastics reports worldwide, and also in some programs of study on the distribution of microplastics in the atmosphere.

* Yaser Morera holds a PhD from the University of Navarra. Learn more about his research.