Timothy Duncan, PhD from Human Foods Program, US Food and Drug Administration will present
Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) have attracted attention from scientists, lawmakers, media organizations, and the general public. MNPs are usually formed from chemical and mechanical degradation of plastic products and they are pervasive in the natural environment. Many studies have also reported finding MNPs in human foods and clinical samples, but these studies vary greatly in their quality due to inconsistently applied methods, unavailability of reference standards, and lack of consensus over terminology. This presentation will review the state of the science as it pertains to MNPs in human foods, including current data related to prevalence, analytical methods, and potential health effects, and it will lay out priority research needs to support science-based decision making.
Bio: Timothy Duncan received his undergraduate degree in chemistry in 2000 from Haverford College, located just outside of Philadelphia. He attained his Ph.D. in physical/inorganic chemistry in 2006 from the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied conjugated porphyrin arrays designed for optoelectronic applications under Professor Michael J. Therien. He then did a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania in the lab of Professor So-Jung Park. There he studied quantum-dot based bio-imaging agents and color-tunable fluorescent polymers. Since 2009 he has been a research scientist at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Human Food Program, where he leads a research team investigating the safety of nanotechnology-enabled plastics. He is a designated subject matter expert in nanotechnology, food contact materials, and microplastics.
Zoom: Link (as well below in case this link does not work)
Meeting ID: 995 1166 2118
Passcode: 199891
Courtney Lindsay is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Chemistry and Biochemistry Seminar
Time: Sep 26, 2025 03:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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Meeting ID: 995 1166 2118
Passcode: 199891
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