Ying “Cheryl” Yao, Chief Chemist and Laboratory Supervisor at the Meadowlands Research and Restoration Institute (MRRI), presented recent research at the New Jersey Water Environment Association (NJWEA) 111th John J. Lagrosa Annual Conference on May 12, 2026.
Her presentation, titled “Airborne Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Microplastics: Distribution and Partitioning in Northern New Jersey,” highlighted the occurrence, characterization, and environmental behavior of airborne PFAS and microplastics in Northern New Jersey. The study examined gas-phase and particulate samples, as well as wet and total atmospheric deposition collected from ambient air. The findings provide important insights into the concentrations, distribution patterns, and partitioning behaviors of PFAS and microplastics in urban air. These airborne contaminants may contribute to environmental redistribution processes and potential human exposure, raising concerns about their implications for public health and ecosystem quality.
By improving understanding of the atmospheric transport and fate of PFAS and microplastics, this research supports the development of more effective monitoring approaches, mitigation strategies, and science-based policy responses. The study also underscores the need for continued research on emerging airborne contaminants in densely populated urban environments.
