The worldwide abundance and distribution of microplastics has helped push these small pieces of plastic fragments to be become emerging environmental contaminants of concern for the regulated community.  Microplastics, and plastic pollution in general, have increasingly become common environmental topics in our news cycles, public service announcements, and has started to pique the attention of an aggressive plaintiffs’ bar, as well as state and federal environmental regulators.  The overall increase in microplastics detection and their ubiquity in our oceans, biota, and drinking water throughout our country, coupled with the potential human health implications is the making for a likely perfect storm. The unknowns, uncertainties, ubiquity, and lack of regulation of microplastics exhibit striking similarities to the now fully “emerged” contaminant of concern, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances while at the same exhibiting differences.

The promotion of technology and science-based studies of microplastics is key in developing a meaningful and rational legal and regulatory framework as opposed to an arbitrary one. While perhaps tempting due to the uncertainties that currently surround microplastics for certain companies and stakeholders to wait for definitive answers, such inaction and stagnation could be costly in the long run. Instead, targeted efforts by stakeholders can be implemented now to help understand, manage, and mitigate risk posed by potential future microplastics’ exposure, and will better position companies to face the expected challenges in the coming years. In short, efforts on the front end now will result in savings on the back end later.

The panel will delve into the background and history of microplastics, how we got here, the duel potential concerns – environmental and toxic tort, states leading the legislative charge, the limited federal regulation and legislation, the latest scientific studies, current litigation overview and trends, recommended proactive mitigation measures for companies, and what’s on the horizon.

Contact Tauheedah Hawkins, thawkins@goldbergsegalla.com, for more information.

Time: 12-1:00pm EST

Presenters: George Buermann, Kerry Jones, Mark Heaney