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Understanding Plastic Pollution
We are an interdisciplinary team of faculty and students at the Rochester Institute of Technology who are working on understanding the input, transport, fate, and effects of plastic pollution in the watershed of Lake Ontario. We also develop and implement educational curriculum to teach about plastic pollution.
We estimate that around 1,500 metric tons of plastic enters Lake Ontario each year, but even more is trapped and stored across the watershed. Our group uses technological solutions to remove debris from the environment. Data on the removed debris is used to develop estimates of the amount of plastic in the environment to help estimate risk and inform policy and solutions.
Latest News
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February 13, 2025
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Is Avoiding Microplastics Even Possible? Here’s What Experts Say
Self speaks to Christy Tyler, professor in the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, about reducing microplastics exposure.
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October 28, 2024
![Christy Tyler appears on screen in a gray sweater.]()
New RIT program aims to intercept plastic pollution before it enters our sewers
Spectrum News speaks to Christy Tyler, professor in the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, about utilizing innovative technologies like Littatraps to engage the community in environmental protection efforts.
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September 5, 2024
![a storm drain with debris is shown on the side of a road on a wet day.]()
RIT recommended for additional federal funding for stormwater debris interception
The new funds are on behalf of the the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Debris Program’s $23 million investment to intercept and remove marine debris with funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
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August 1, 2024
![A single use fork washed ashore on a beach in Bermuda.]()
Upstate NY research center investigates impact of microplastics on human health
Spectrum News speaks to Christy Tyler, professor in the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, about how microplastics enter our body and what they do when they are there.
