Microplastics found in 100% of tested Oregon waterways, including Crater Lake

(DECEMBER 10, 2021) Water pollution is an environmental problem. Some pollution comes from sewage (human waste). Some pollution comes from agriculture, including farming and raising animals for food. But Oregon rivers and lakes have another pollution problem. It's microplastics.

Environment Oregon is a nonprofit organization. It works to protect Oregon's natural resources. It published new research about Oregon's waterways (lakes and rivers). It took water samples from 30 waterways. Every sample had at least one type of microplastic contamination. This includes popular locations like the Willamette River, the John Day River, Lake Billy Chinook, and Waldo Lake. Microplastics are pieces of plastic less than 5 millimeters in diameter. That is smaller than a grain of rice.

"The results of this study should set off alarms for all Oregonians who love our state's rivers and lakes," said Celeste Meiffren-Swango. She is a leader of Environment Oregon. "No river, lake, or stream is safe from this increasingly common contaminant."

Americans generate more than 35 million tons of plastic waste every year. Less than 10% of that plastic waste is recycled. Much of the plastic waste is buried in landfills or burned in incinerators. Then microplastics get carried by wind or rain into the environment, including waterways.

Some of the plastic pollution comes from microfibers. This is a type of plastic in fabric. A little bit comes from clothing every time it is washed. It’s almost impossible to remove microfibers from water.

River and beach clean-up events help with more visible forms of litter and pollution. But the small size of microplastics makes it easy for them to travel to waterways. This can be a big problem for both animals and humans.

The report gives some ideas for solutions to the problem. For example, it suggests people stop using disposable plastic items for food. This includes plastic containers and silverware.

Meiffren-Swango said there is no one answer. "But this should be a wake up call for local, state, and national leaders that our plastic pollution problem is growing. ... We need to do everything we can to move beyond plastic before it's too late."