Rutgers chemist Yuwei Gu and his team are studying the longevity of synthetic polymers like plastics, which do not break down easily and contribute to long-term accumulation issues. Inspired by plastic pollution in Bear Mountain State Park, they are using gel permeation chromatography to measure the size of polymers and how they break down. This research is crucial for developing solutions to address the environmental impact of synthetic polymers and finding ways to mitigate their persistence in the environment.