Marine Debris Program Presents at ITRC Microplastics Spring Meeting
MAY 7, 2021 — On April 22, the NOAA Marine Debris Program (MDP) presented at a session of the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council’s (ITRC) annual spring meeting focused on microplastics.
Tanya Torres, from the MDP, along with Lisa Earles from 5Gyres and Conchita Taitano from the Guam Environmental Protection Agency, were the guest presenters at the ITRC Microplastics Team session. Tanya’s presentation gave participants an overview of the MDP and its research priorities, and highlighted a few funded microplastic research projects.
The ITRC is a state-led coalition dedicated to reducing barriers to the use of innovative environmental technologies. ITRC teams bring together experts from across the country to develop innovative solutions to the most pressing environmental challenges. In January 2021, ITRC started a new team to tackle microplastics remediation technologies. This team will work on creating resources for regulators and water treatment staff from state and federal agencies, local and municipal governments, and other interested parties.
The spring meeting was a chance for team members to work productively, engage with other ITRC teams, expand their network in the environmental community, and learn about existing efforts surrounding their team topics. The Marine Debris Program was happy to share its work surrounding microplastics to help fuel the goals of this ITRC team.
For more information, please contact Tanya.Torres@noaa.gov.