Public works professionals now have something else to worry about in the form of microplastic pollution. Newer to the road-related environmental foray is microplastic contamination. Researchers equate the extensive use of plastics as akin to creating a global “plastic cycle” on par with other critically human-intruded processes such as the carbon cycle. Because people breathe, eat, and drink microplastic particles (MPP), their rising levels are concerning, given the associated health and ecological risks. That’s why scientists are sounding the alarm and why it’s so important that public works professionals better understand the nature of the coming crisis and how science provides a simple solution or “Off RAMP” to help solve microplastic pollution. This session is intended to help public works professionals tasked with improving our infrastructure’s sustainability related to both air and stormwater quality. Attendees will learn how recent studies are revealing new data that threatens to derail environmental progress expected from electric vehicle (EV) adoption. It is tailored for anyone tasked with deploying emerging technologies targeting air and stormwater quality and responsible for managing surface infrastructure, including roadways, ports, airfields, and parking lots. Decision-makers in the environmentally sustainable/resilient disciplines within public works will gain a critical understanding of the scope of the problem arising from RAMPs and the science behind the decomposition of microplastic pollution without negatively impacting air and stormwater quality. After this session, participants will be able to:
• Define RAMP and understand the magnitude of the problem associated with surface infrastructure.
• Evaluate the impact RAMP has on the environment and how to prepare for the challenge as the issue worsens with EV adoption.
• Develop a plan to implement new technologies to mitigate RAMP through decomposition by photocatalysis.
Contributor/Source
Chris Evers
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