PLASTER

Plastic-derived emerging aerosol pollutants from fires

Duration: 1.9.2025-31.8-2029
Funding: Research Council of Finland

Plastic-derived emerging organic pollutants (PEOP), including micro- and nanoplastics and specific chemicals, pose global threats to ecosystems and human health. The overall picture of these emerging pollutants is limited, as measurement methods are still evolving to accurately trace their abundance in the environment. This research hypothesizes that incomplete burning of plastics, such as accidental fires and residential burning of waste, is a major source of PEOP into the atmosphere and significantly influences ambient air respiratory and endocrine toxicity. PLASTER aims at assessing how plastic burning influences particulate matter and specifically PEOP in atmosphere, and their health-related toxicological properties. We will carry out comprehensive laboratory and field studies and utilize novel chemical analysis methods and biological models to establish databases of emissions from plastic fires and their toxicities, and improved methodologies for monitoring of PEOP in air.

Principal investigators:

• Olli Sippula (coord.), University of Eastern Finland, Department of Environmental and Biological Science, Fine Particle and Aerosol Technology Laboratory
• Panu Karjalainen, Tampere University, Aerosol Physics Laboratory
• Marjut Roponen, University of Eastern Finland, Department of Environmental and Biological Science, Inhalation Toxicology Laboratory
• Janne Jänis, University of Eastern Finland, Department of Chemistry and Sustainable Technology

Overview of the project structure and work packages is shown below:

(Figure: Heino Kuuluvainen)

For more information: Prof. Olli Sippula, tel. +358 40 355 3397, olli.sippula(at)uef.fi