Our work covered by science communicator Rackeb Tesfaye for "Let's Go with Sabrine Marandola"
Find the full story here.
"[Denim] fibers act as a potent symbol of the remnants of our clothing reaching far beyond our closets, from our washing machines to the fish we consume to the remote Arctic Ocean..."
Our paper on 'The Widespread Environmental Footprint of Indigo Denim Microfibers from Blue Jeans' was published today in ES&T Letters! You can find it here.
There has been a lot of media interest in our work. I've compiled the links below, if y'all are interested in checking them out:
The study also made the front page of Reddit!
#UniqueScientists (@Also_AScientist) is an online platform working to amplify the voices of scientists from around the world in an effort to showcase diversity in STEM. Check out the highlight here.
"Building on the SETAC value of sharing knowledge, the Community Engagement Event is a chance for SETAC delegates to get out of the convention center and visit a local project and engage with the public and for the local community, it’s a chance to mingle with scientists and learn and ask questions. This year’s event included a visit to the site of the Don Mouth Naturalization and Port Lands Flood Protection Project, where the University of Toronto Trash Team has been working hard auditing trash."
Check out the interview here.
500 Queer Scientists is a "visibility campaign for LGBTQ+ people and their allies working in STEM and STEM-supporting jobs — a group that collectively represents a powerful force of scientific progress and discovery." Check out the highlight here.
What are microplastics? everything you should know about microplastics - and one small thing you can do to help.
Recent interview with Chatelane:
"Athey explains that microfibres—tiny particles that come off of textiles, like the lint caught in your dryer—are some of the worst household-produced offenders, since everyone washes and wears clothes regularly. (Think of the pilling and fraying on your polyester clothing--which is made from plastic—that’s a microplastic.)"
Read more here
"Next month, 100 households in Parry Sound, Ontario, on the shores of Lake Huron’s Georgian Bay, will install special filters on their washing machines. The filters – roughly twice the size of a standard water bottle – are designed to remove plastic microfibers from the machines’ waste water.It’s part of a joint research project by the University of Toronto and local environmental group Georgian Bay Forever to reduce the number of tiny plastic threads released into the bay."
Learn more about the project here!
Spent the day paddling down the Don River and cleaning up with the UofT Trash Team for their second annual Clean Up the Don event! The Don River Watershed is the most urbanized watershed in Canada. A previous study conducted by the Trash Team showed the Don River is a source of approximately 650 kg of plastic to Lake Ontario each year and cleanups like this are important for stopping plastics from entering the lake. Stay tuned for blog posts and more from the event!
UofT Varsity Blues article