Ann Arbor, MI – In a twist of fate sparked by a lab accident, a groundbreaking discovery by Anne McNeil, LSA chemistry professor, could revolutionize the fight against microplastic pollution. McNeil’s team stumbled upon a potential solution while experimenting with adhesives, inadvertently creating a method to extract microplastics from water. This accidental breakthrough led to a collaborative effort involving chemistry and environmental science experts.
The experiment began with diapers and rubber particles, involving Takunda Chazovachii and Edwin Zishiri, former graduate students. Discarding excess adhesive and rubber particles into the same waste container resulted in a transformative reaction. A black adhesive mass covered in microplastics emerged, prompting McNeil to explore the possibility of scaling up this phenomenon for environmental benefit.
McNeil, along with chemistry professor Paul Zimmerman, materials science and engineering professor Brian Love, and environmental science professor Jose Alfaro, secured a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2020. The goal was to develop a filtration system utilizing adhesive technology to capture microplastics in wastewater treatment plants.
Microplastic pollution poses a severe threat to Michigan’s water bodies, especially the Great Lakes, with sewage treatment facilities acting as major contamination sources. Current plants lack the capability to filter out microplastics from household laundry machine wastewater, contributing to landfill and farmland pollution.
While data shows the detrimental effects of microplastics on animals, including fish and oysters, the impact on human health remains uncertain. McNeil emphasizes that microplastics are already found in human blood, stool, and lungs, prompting a need for public awareness and potential solutions.
Recognizing the importance of education, McNeil collaborated with Safron Milne, a graduate student and aspiring chemistry teacher, to create an exhibit. “Microplastics: Here, There, Everywhere” at the Detroit Historical Society’s Dossin Great Lakes Museum offers a unique platform for the public to understand the issue gradually.
The exhibit not only showcases the impact of microplastics pollution on lakes and aquatic life but also provides practical suggestions for reducing plastic waste. Milne’s art piece, created from plastic found around campus and the Huron River, symbolizes the connection between macro and microplastics, illustrating the urgency of addressing pollution at all levels.
The collaborative effort between chemists, educators, and museum professionals aims to inspire change. By encouraging visitors to voice concerns to legislators, the team hopes to drive policy changes similar to California’s mandate on microplastic pollution thresholds in drinking water.
McNeil emphasizes the responsibility of chemists to address the environmental consequences of plastic waste. By repurposing plastic using chemistry, McNeil envisions a sustainable future and encourages a collective effort in finding solutions to the global plastic crisis.
As the Microplastics exhibit continues until April 2024, McNeil’s accidental discovery transforms into a beacon of hope in the ongoing battle against the pervasive threat of microplastic pollution.
