SUMMARY Particulate contamination represents a wholly different impact to biological systems compared to dissolved chemicals. The unique interactions in tissues and in cells creates challenges – and opportunities for discovery – for research and risk assessment. The science of particle toxicology is well established, but emerging issues continue to advance the field. Since the last meeting in 2019 in Salzburg Austria, we have experienced numerous particle toxicology threats arising on a global scale: the recent increase in wildfire smoke exposures, the inevitability of microplastics contamination, questions about “droplets” and mask efficacy, e-cigarette toxicity, and novel engineering advances for nanomaterials. These issues and others require vigilance from the scientific community to better understand the potential for adverse medical, public health, and ecological impacts. We are hosting the 13th International Particle Toxicology Conference (IPTC) in Santa Fe, New Mexico from August 28-30th, 2022. The IPTC has been an important venue for the communication of innovations in the field of particle toxicology since 1979, and has been held roughly every 3 years since. Over the 2.5-day conference, we will hear from Keynote and Invited speakers, and provide a venue for researchers and trainees to share their work through oral and poster presentations. Face-to-face networking, an essential facet of career development for trainees and young investigators, is a much-needed aspect of the meeting following the 2 years of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. As an additional component to the meeting, an interactive pre- conference workshop for trainees will be conducted, to provide training from experts in the field on particulate safety assessment from a regulatory and drug development standpoint. The IPTC Steering Committee is additionally focused on climate change and the role that plays in many of the problems we are already facing. Wildfires, plastics, and energy-related combustion-source PM will be topics covered within the context of a changing climate, and Keynote speakers have been specifically chosen to speak to the global and long-term outlook for particulate toxicology. Overall, the success of the IPTC will be achieved by meeting 3 major Aims. First, a broader sharing of key findings from multiple labs/programs on multiple angles related to particulate matter toxicity, microplastics, wildfire smoke, and other emerging concepts. Second, the development of new collaborative, multidisciplinary research initiatives. And third, advancing career development pathways for trainees and junior faculty. At the conclusion of the meeting, we will work within the Steering Committee, Keynote/Invited speakers, and other interested parties to communicate a state-of-the-science manuscript that details emerging issues and novel approaches to best address research on particle toxicology. This paper will help motivate innovation and collaboration to greatly advance the field.

NARRATIVE Particulate contamination represents a wholly different impact to biological systems compared to dissolved chemicals. The unique interactions in tissues and in cells creates challenges – and opportunities for discovery – for research and risk assessment. The 13th International Particle Toxicology Conference (IPTC) in Santa Fe, New Mexico will provide an important venue for the communication of innovations in the field of particle toxicology.