At ChangeNOW 2026 in Paris, ALLATRA Held an Expert Workshop on Global Risks of Nanoplastics
PARIS, April 6, 2026 — Participants of ALLATRA International Public Movement and representatives of the ALLATRA Global Research Center (ALLATRA GRC) took part in the international summit ChangeNOW 2026, held from March 30th to April 1st at the Grand Palais in Paris. The key highlight was the expert workshop “Nanoplastics: The Invisible Threat and Global Risk: What Can We Do?” that took place on April 1st. The expert session was organized and led by participants of the ALLATRA Movement with the involvement of ALLATRA GRC representatives.
Workshop speakers: Gabriela Szalayova, MD (ALLATRA IPM) and Alexander Masny, MSc (ALLATRA GRC)
ChangeNOW is one of the largest international platforms in sustainable development that brings together thousands of participants every year: representatives of academia, business sector, institutions, and environmental initiatives. It shapes the global agenda for solutions in ecology and technology. Hosting the workshop on this platform made it possible to place the discussion of micro- and nanoplastics within a broader international context.
Preparing for the workshop at ChangeNOW 2026, Paris
The workshop “Nanoplastics: The Invisible Threat and Global Risk: What Can We Do?” was dedicated to comprehensive examination of micro- and nanoplastics as an issue that extends far beyond the conventional understanding of plastic waste. The discussion focused on public health, environmental sustainability, and long-term risks to future generations. Participants were presented with an interdisciplinary framework where nanoplastics were considered a growing systemic challenge affecting human health, ecosystem integrity, and environmental quality.
Expert workshop “Nanoplastics: The Invisible Threat and Global Risk: What Can We Do?” organized by ALLATRA GRC and ALLATRA IPM on April 1st at the Grand Palais, during the summit ChangeNOW 2026 in Paris
During the presentation, published scientific data on the distribution of micro- and nanoplastics in air, water, soils, and food chains were presented and discussed, as well as data on detection of plastic particles in human tissues and biological fluids.
Particular attention was given to the fact that the traditional language of plastic pollution is no longer sufficient to describe the scale and complexity of the problem at the level of nanoparticles. The workshop participants emphasized that this is a topic requiring careful evidence-based assessment and further scientific dialogue.
The discussion featured representatives of ALLATRA, Gabriela Szalayova, MD, and Alexander Masny, MSc (ALLATRA GRC). The presentation addressed physicochemical and electrostatic properties of nanoplastics, their potential ability to act as carriers of co-occurring pollutants, as well as potential mechanisms of their interaction with biological barriers. These topics were presented as areas for further interdisciplinary research at the intersection of medicine, environmental science, chemistry, and materials science.
Workshop speakers: Gabriela Szalayova, MD (ALLATRA IPM) and Alexander Masny, MSc (ALLATRA GRC)
A separate session of the workshop focused on limitations of existing approaches to addressing the problem. It was noted that traditional measures, including waste recycling and large-scale water purification projects, are important but do not address the full range of risks associated with nanoparticles. As one of the promising areas for further research, a concept of strategic electrostatic neutralization was discussed to reduce the capacity of nanoplastics to transport, accumulate, and interact with the environment. At the same time, the speakers emphasized that any such approaches require further validation, methodological standardization, and rigorous expert discussion.
The final part of the meeting featured an interactive discussion and a Q&A session. Approximately 80 people participated in the workshop. The event format encouraged open dialogue: participants shared observations, asked questions, and discussed both environmental aspects of the issue and its possible implications for human health. According to attendees’ feedback, the topic was perceived as timely and significant, and the presentation as informative and accessible to a broad audience, with a clear explanation of the underlying scientific principles.
Post-workshop discussion between the audience and the speakers
Materials presented at the workshop were based, among other sources, on the open research report “Nanoplastics in the Biosphere: From Molecular Impact to Planetary Crisis” and the scientific documentary “Nanoplastics: Threat to Life” presented during the session. Participation in ChangeNOW 2026 provided another international platform for open professional dialogue on the topic that requires further attention from the research community, public institutions, and civil society initiatives.
Earlier, the ALLATRA Global Research Center served as a co-organizer of a conference at the European Parliament, titled “Nanoplastics: Hidden Connections and Emerging Risks” and held with the support of MEP Ondřej Knotek.
ALLATRA GRC expresses its gratitude to the organizers of ChangeNOW 2026 for providing the platform for dialogue, as well as to all workshop participants for their interest in the topic and active engagement in discussions.
About ALLATRA International Public Movement
ALLATRA International Public Movement is an independent, volunteer-based organization dedicated to conducting large-scale research in geodynamics and environmental issues. ALLATRA IPM is recognized for its interdisciplinary approach to the study of natural disasters, promotion of international scientific cooperation, and commitment to advancing human rights and fundamental freedoms.
In recognition of its commitment to environmental protection and preservation of creation, ALLATRA International Public Movement received an Apostolic Blessing of His Holiness Pope Francis in 2024. In 2025, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV bestowed an Apostolic Blessing upon the President of ALLATRA and all its volunteers.
During ChangeNOW 2026, ALLATRA participants interviewed distinguished guests of the summit. From left to right: Louie Psihoyos, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Jeff Orlowski-Yang, and Dr. Antonio Ragusa
ALLATRA GRC experts and ALLATRA IPM participants at ChangeNOW 2026
About the ALLATRA Global Research Center
The ALLATRA Global Research Center (ALLATRA GRC) is an international research and analytical center focused on addressing key planetary challenges through comprehensive scientific analysis, integrated risk assessment, and development of evidence-based policy recommendations. The center is officially registered and headquartered in the United States and operates internationally, which reflects its global scope and interdisciplinary approach.
ALLATRA GRC carries out interdisciplinary research on the dynamics of natural disasters, climate and geophysical risks, the impact of micro- and nanoplastics on the environment and human health, and advocates for human rights while promoting intercultural cooperation. Its work combines scientific research with strategic and operational leadership to support informed decision-making at the global level.
The ALLATRA Global Research Center is registered in the EU Transparency Register under registration number No. REG 1148853102055-15.
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