
Emerging Contaminants: Microplastics
From Environmental Law Explored: A Podcast SEERies by ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources
June 16, 2025 · 43 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the impact of microplastics on the environment and regulatory efforts surrounding plastic use and disposal.
In the debut episode of our Emerging Contaminants series, we examine the widespread presence of microplastics in our environment, including in human and animal bodies and throughout our food systems. Because microplastics originate from larger plastic products, regulatory efforts have targeted the broader plastic lifecycle: from manufacture, import, and export to use, labeling, recycling, and disposal - with particular attention to single-use plastics. Join panelists Jennifer F. Novak (Law Office of Jennifer F. Novak), Talia Gordner (McMillan LLP), and Usha Vedagiri (WSP) as they discuss recent developments in plastic regulation, including the United Nations plastics treaty and efforts in the European Union and Canada, and share insights into what may lie ahead for the United States.
People in this episode
Guests: Jennifer F. Novak, Talia Gordner, Usha Vedagiri
Topics covered
- microplastics
- environmental regulation
- plastic lifecycle
- single-use plastics
- food systems
- health impacts
Keywords
- microplastics
- environment
- regulation
- plastic lifecycle
- health
- food systems
- single-use plastics
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Law Office of Jennifer F. Novak, McMillan LLP, WSP, United Nations, European Union, Canada
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