Geared to physicians, researchers and healthcare personnel
Scholarships available. Contact megan@psnap.org
How do plastics impact the human body? How do we protect ourselves, and how do we establish lasting change?
Recent findings about the impacts of plastic on human health demonstrate that plastic pollution is not just a litter problem, it is a health hazard. The chemical additives in plastic do not stay put. They leach out into what they touch — including food, water, air, and human bodies – and a large number are hazardous. As researchers follow the path of microplastics into the ecosystem and into us, they are coming to understand the hazards that these chemical particles present to living tissue, and they are raising alarms. Many of the additives found in plastics are associated with disorders from obesity and diabetes to autism and ADHD. Given the ubiquity of plastic and the growth of the industry (production is expected to triple by 2060), there is no way for individuals to avoid exposure, or to stave off potential impacts. What does this mean, and what is to be done? Join Megan J. Wolff, PhD, MPH, for an in-depth class on what is known – and what is being researched – on the impact of plastics on human health. Enrollment is open to all, with a $150 matriculation fee used to support the Physician and Scientist Network Addressing Plastics and Health (P-SNAP)
September 22
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8:00 am
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September 23
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5:00 pm EDT
NYU Langone’s Center for the Investigation of Environmental Hazards (CIEH), in collaboration with the Food Packaging Forum, cordially invites you to the 2026 Plastics and Human Health Symposium. The event will take place on Tuesday, September 22nd, and Wednesday, September 23rd, at the NYU Langone Health Murphy Auditorium in New York City. The launch of this year’s event builds on the momentum of the past two symposia, advancing collaborators’ efforts aligned with the United Nations’ negotiations for a global treaty to end plastic pollution.
NYU Langone’s third symposium is developed in partnership with the independent research organization, the Food Packaging Forum Foundation. The event will focus on individual environments where plastics abound and discuss opportunities and effects of solutions, focusing on the science-policy interface. Already confirmed speakers for this year’s event include Dr. Martin Wagner, PhD, Professor, Norwegian Technical University, Trondheim, and Johanna Hellrigl, Chef and plastic-free advocate, Ama, Washington, DC, USA.
The symposium will highlight urgent needs, present recent scientific evidence, and serve as a continuation of our collaborative dialogue on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee’s process toward a Global Plastics Treaty, to ensure that the protection of human health remains a priority within this process.
A light breakfast and lunch options will be provided. A reception will follow the first day of the event.
FOOD AND DRINK ARE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE MURPHY AUDITORIUM.
By registering for our symposium, you agree to comply with NYU Langone Health’s visitor guidelines and Statement of Visitor Responsibilities as outlined here. NYU Langone Health asks you to collaborate with us in delivering an environment that is safe, respectful, and conducive to healing. Any visitor whose behaviors or actions are deemed a threat to patient or staff safety may be asked to leave.
For any event-related questions, please email Marissa Singer at marissa.singerrosenberg@nyulangone.org
This bill is gaining traction due to the food industry’s deep pockets, and there is real concern it may pass Congress. Environmental Working Group (EWG) is hosting a “Toxics off the table!” rally in Washington, D.C., on September 15 to call on lawmakers to oppose the FRESH Act and put families’ health before corporate interests.
What the FRESH Act would do:
Erase existing and future state food safety laws. Hundreds of protections already on the books could be wiped out, including bans on PFAS “forever chemicals” in food packaging, artificial dyes in school food and heavy metals in baby food and infant formula.
Let toxic chemicals be called “safe.” New chemicals linked to cancer and reproductive harm could be added to food without the Food and Drug Administration ever confirming they are safe.
Let the food industry police itself. Industry-funded panels, including the flavor industry’s own panel, could review and greenlight chemicals for immediate use – even when reviewers have financial conflicts of interest.
Approve chemicals by default. If the FDA does not respond to a company within 90 days, the new chemical is automatically allowed into our food.
Give infant formula companies more time before telling the FDA if there is a contamination outbreak. They wouldn’t have to tell the FDA until they determined the root cause of the outbreak.
Leave in place the chemicals already in our food. The bill would not require the FDA to review a single ingredient currently on the market.
Join us to protect state food safety laws at the “toxics off the table!” rally:
What: Toxics off the table! rally to protect state food laws
The Plastic Detox investigates the health consequences of plastic pollution, especially the damage that microplastics and plastic chemicals cause in the body and how exposure can impact fertility. The educational version screened at this event is shorter than the feature film version available on Netflix, and is currently available for community screenings.
The Plastic Detox panel at SF Climate Week, hosted by Plastic Pollution Coalition, Earth Island Institute, Oceanic Preservation Society, and Land And Sea For All. Dr Thalia Segal (Collab Fertility), Josh Murphy (The Plastic Detox Co-Director), Monique (featured in film), Dr. Shanna Swan, Bruno (featured in film), Louie Psihoyos (The Plastic Detox Co-Director).
The screening and panel discussion drew an engaged audience eager to connect the latest science about the impacts of plastic pollution on human health with action. The panel discussion that followed the film was moderated by PPC co-founder and Chief Vision Officer, Dianna Cohen (PPC), and featured Dr. Shanna Swan (reproductive epidemiologist and PPC Scientific Advisor) and filmmakers Louie Psihoyos (OPS, PPC Notable) and Josh Murphy (Land And Sea For All), as well as fertility specialist Dr. Thalia Segal (Collab Fertility).
Also representing Plastic Pollution Coalition at the event were Business Partnerships Manager Aidan Maguire and Development Manager Alex Patton, who staffed a PPC resource table and provided attendees with information about our work and ways to get involved.
We encouraged all attendees to bring their own reusable cups and utensils to the event, a meaningful act of living the values that are shown in the film. Lunch was provided by Gather, featuring handmade pizza, salads, and charcuterie.
This year’s SF Climate Week gave us renewed hope that progress is possible and showed that awareness of the harms of plastic is at the forefront of public discourse. Despite being up against giants, including fossil fuel and plastic polluters, PPC and others are coming together to build a healthier, more just, and equitable world free of plastic pollution.
Take Action
Ready to take the next steps? We have a guide to reducing plastic in your life here, with practical tips just for beginners. If you missed our April webinar about the film, also in collaboration with the Oceanic Preservation Society, the recording is available here.
Want to go the extra mile and help us get plastic packaging off our food and drinks? Sign our petition at the link below.
Plastic on Our Minds and in Our Brains: The new science of petrochemical dangers and strategies for safeguarding our children’s health will bring together experts in two panel discussions focusing on exposures to petrochemicals and microplastics through the course of our lives from unexpected exposures to dangerous impacts. The morning will also feature conversations with experts in the plastics and environmental fields.
Confirmed speakers and participants include Mariah Blake, David Michaels, Dr. Ray Dorsey, Dr. Jasmine McDonald, Cynthia Palmer, Lani Wean, Robert Taylor, Tish Taylor, and Martec Washington. Hosted by Moms Clean Air Force.
Held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, and livestreamed for audiences globally.
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The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
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