Microplastics and Plastic Chemicals: Emerging Impacts on Human Heart, Lung, Blood, and Sleep Health

This workshop will be led by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). It will bring together basic scientists, pediatricians, primary care physicians, maternal–fetal medicine experts, neonatologists, pulmonologists, cardiologists, nurses, pharmacists, epidemiologists, environmentalists, toxicologists, implementation scientists, data scientists, and community representatives to discuss the role of exposures to micro-nanoplastics (MNPs) and forever chemicals (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances [PFAS]) across the lifespan in heart, lung, and blood disorders to identify critical research gaps, challenges, and opportunities. The discussion will involve consideration of leveraging data science, artificial intelligence, and multi-omics approaches in existing birth cohorts, animals, and organoids, as well as the potential for clinical trials to incorporate novel technology-based interventions (e.g., smartphone tracking apps, telehealth approaches, and exposure assessments) and implementation science. 

Academic Co-Chairs

Matthew Campen, Ph.D., M.S.P.H., University of New Mexico

Nikki Posnack, Ph.D., Children's National Hospital

NIH Co-Chairs

Daniel Frank, Ph.D., NHLBI   

May Montasser, Ph.D., NHLBI 

Martin Playford, Ph.D., NHLBI 

Beena Sood, M.D., M.S., F.A.A.P, NHLBI 

NIH Planning Committee

Diane Bild, M.D., Ph.D., NHLBI (former)

Ingrid Espinoza Grandon, Ph.D., NHLBI 

Marisol Espinoza-Pintucci, Ph.D., NHLBI

Cashell Jaquish, Ph.D., NHLBI

Marrah Lachowicz-Scroggins, Ph.D., NHLBI 

Sara Lin, Ph.D., NHLBI 

Lisa Postow, Ph.D., NHLBI 

Lingamanaidu Ravichandran, Ph.D., NIEHS

Roy Sutliff, Ph.D., NHLBI

Event Details:

📅 Date: December 7-8, 2026

💻 Virtual Workshop: A link to join the virtual workshop will be sent closer to the date of the workshop. Registration for this workshop is free but required to attend.

Contact:

For questions or to request reasonable accommodations to participate in this event, please email Jessica Freer at jessica.mitchell@nih.gov.