Environmental and human toxicology of plastics - Fellows Initiative Natural Sciences (FINS)
Environmental and human toxicology of plastics
THIS INITIATIVE IS NO LONGER ACTIVE
Martin Wagner is an environmental toxicologist interested in the impact plastics have on aquatic ecosystems and human health. This covers the toxicity of microplastics in freshwater invertebrates and the human exposure to chemicals leaching from plastic products. Taking a holistic approach, his research also links to the broader implications of the “plastic age” in an ecological and societal context.
The Bioanalytical Toxicology Lab
In the Bioanalytical Toxicology Lab, we investigate the impact of synthetic agents (e.g., endocrine disrupting chemicals and microplastics) on human and ecosystem health. For that, we are using state-of-the-art in vitro and in vivo bioassays to characterize the total toxicity of complex samples (e.g., leachates of plastic materials). We also apply effect-directed chemical analysis to identify the compounds causing the observed toxicity. To investigate the ecological impacts of plastics pollution, we study the abundance of microplastics in freshwater systems (e.g., river sediments) and use freshwater invertebrate models to assess the toxicity of microplastics. We also perform environmentally realistic mesocosm studies.
With this approach, we aim at contributing to a more holistic understanding human and environmental exposomes and adverse outcomes. To achieve this, we are working at the interface of mechanistic toxicology, exposure science and environmental health.
Contact
Martin Wagner
Associate Professor
E-mail: martin.wagner@ntnu.no
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