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Plastic in Lake Geneva

— Lake Geneva is heavily contaminated by macro- and microplastics. Some solutions exist, but it will be very complicated to get rid of it. 

© GR-CEL / EPFL 2023

Franco-Swiss discussions on the problem of plastic pollution

— Microplastic pollution in the Alpine arc: a cross-border challenge

Scientists analyzed eleven substances used in the manufacture of tires. © iStock

Unraveling the secrets of microplastics released by tires

— In Switzerland, tire and road wear particles are one of the biggest sources of microplastics released into the environment, yet the chemical compounds contained in those particles – and their effects – remain largely a mystery. To remedy that knowledge gap, scientists at EPFL and two other Swiss research institutes are conducting a study of the toxicity of tire-particle compounds and how readily they’re absorbed by living organisms. The first phase of the study has just been completed.

© iStock: Bulat Silvia

Six new CROSS projects on the theme of crisis

— The 2023 edition of the CROSS (Collaborative Research on Science and Society) program invited researchers from EPFL and the University of Lausanne to submit proposals for joint projects on the theme of crisis. These projects combine natural sciences and engineering with social sciences and humanities to address some of the most pressing challenges facing society.

Le bâteau de l'expédition Sea Plastics © Jamani Caillet/EPFL

Science is revealing the scale of microplastic pollution

— Plastics are everywhere in our environment, even inside living organisms. This article looks at the impact of this major pollution risk and accompanies our report on the SEA Plastics expedition, which is currently crisscrossing the Mediterranean to raise awareness of the issue. 

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