"People eat one credit card a week" - this headline has now been refuted. The fact is that microplastics are the subject of intensive research and are not just an environmental problem. However, research does not always provide clear answers straight away. Whether the tiny plastic particles pose a health risk is still largely unknown.
The event organised by the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) and the Environment and Climate Research Network (ECH) at the University of Vienna will focus on microplastics.
"Understanding microplastics - What we know today and why panic is not a solution"
The event will shed light on the current state of knowledge about microplastics in humans and the environment. Experts will assess the current state of research, discuss open questions and invite an objective dialogue on risks, perception and responsibility. A live stream will be available for students, stakeholders and interested members of the public.
Contents
- Microplastics - risk perception and risk assessment
- Microplastics - Health effects in the human body
- Microplastics - effects in the environment and examples of ingestion
The detailed programme can be found here.
Programme language
German, English
Registration information
We kindly ask for registration by 13.03.2026 at the latest.
Limited number of participants!
This event will be held as a hybrid event (participation online or in person on site possible).
Specialist management
Priv.-Doz. Dr Johannes Pleiner-Duxneuner
Managing Director of the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, AGES
Other speakers
Prof. Dr. Ronald Maier
Vice Rector for Digitalisation and Knowledge Transfer, University of Vienna
Prof. Dr Dr Dr h. c. Andreas Hensel
President of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, BfR
Univ.-Prof. Dr Lea Ann Dailey
University of Vienna
Dr Verena Ehold, MSc
Federal Environment Agency (UBA)
Univ.-Prof. Dr Thilo Hofmann
University of Vienna, Environment and Climate Research Hub (ECH) and microplastics research platform
Priv.-Doz. Mag. PhD Angela Horvath
Medical University of Graz and CBmed
Univ.-Prof. Dr Lukas Kenner
Medical University of Vienna and MicroOne (enquired)
Denise Krawagna-Seitner, PhD
Risk communication, AGES
Ulrike Mayerhofer, MSc
Data, statistics, risk assessment, AGES
You are also welcome to send your topic-related questions in advance to akademie@ages.at.
The questions collected will be answered by the speakers during the event.