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March 2022

California wants to eradicate microplastics. Will a new strategy be enough?The 22-step plan includes preventing and intercepting plastic from entering waterways and educating about its hazards

175 countries agree to first-of-its-kind plastic waste treatyThe executive director of the U.N. Environment Program called it “the most significant environmental multilateral deal” since the Paris Agreement.

Global Seafood Supply is Being Contaminated by Microplastics, but Major News Outlets Are Silent | NewsClickOur addiction to plastic is having negative effects all along the food chain.

February 2022

Plastics production is skyrocketing. A new U.N. treaty effort could cap it.The U.N. effort seeks to fight plastics pollution — and maybe even cap their manufacture.

Grimaldi vessels to become 'vacuum cleaners' for ocean microplasticsGrimaldi is deploying a system that works with its onboard sulphur abatement equipment designed to extract microplastics from seawater

Statewide effort hopes to use the power of many hands to tackle microplastics problemAt first glance Waimanalo beach looks pretty clean, but it’s when you get a good look that you can see there are thousands of pieces of microplastics here.

EEA: Textiles' microplastics pollution impact EEA: Textiles' microplastics pollution impact

California officials approve plan to crack down on microplastics polluting the oceanState officials have moved to limit single-use plastics and filter out the toxic pollutants from waterways before they reach the sea.

Paint Is The Largest Source Of Microplastics In The Ocean, Study FindsPreviously studies have estimated that paint accounts for between 9 and 21% of microplastics in our ocean and waterways.

Microplastics in food: Health risks and solutionsHow harmful are microplastics in food, and what can we do to mitigate the health risks? In this Honest Nutrition feature, Medical News Today investigates.

California officials approve plan to crack down on microplastics polluting the oceanCalifornia aims to sharply limit the spiraling scourge of microplastics in the ocean, while urging more study of this threat to fish, marine mammals and potentially to humans, under a plan a state panel approved Wednesday.

Microplastics are pairing up with pollutants. This is bad news. - Green ProphetMore worrying is that microplastics themselves are not inert, and they have the ability to pull along other environmental toxins with them, amplifying the toxicity effect, finds a new research study.

Scientists May Be Contaminating Their Own Samples With MicroplasticsMore than 70% of microplastics found in samples from oceans and rivers could come from the scientists collecting them.

Israeli scientists show for first time how microplastics may hurt health***

Equilibrium/Sustainability — Microplastics make pollutants more toxicToday is Thursday. Welcome to Equilibrium, a newsletter that tracks the growing

Microplastics public consultationToday, the European Commission launched a public consultation on how best to reduce the amount of unintentionally released microplastics into the environment.

Birch trees remove microplastics from the soilWith the help of trees, microplastic-polluted soils could be remediated. For the first time, researchers at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) have shown that birch trees absorb microplastics through their roots during the growth phase. Good news, because soils are many times more polluted with microplastics than oceans are.

Not enough is known about the amount and effects of microplastics on foetuses and childrenA new, international review conducted by researchers reveals that there is not enough research data on what kind of health effects nano- and microplastics have on newborn babies, or during preg...

World must work together to tackle plastic ocean threat: WWFPlastic has infiltrated all parts of the ocean and is now found "in the smallest plankton up to the largest whale" wildlife group WWF said on Tuesday, calling for urgent efforts to create an international treaty on plastics.

January 2022

How did nanoplastics end up at the North and South Pole? | The Week UKResearchers identify plastic particles in Arctic ice dating back to 1960s

Nanoplastic pollution found at both of Earth’s poles for first timeTiny particles including tyre dust found in ice cores stretching back 50 years, showing global plastic contamination

Ocean microplastics captured using soundA new, filter-free method of separating microplastics from seawater using the power of acoustics has been developed in Indonesia.

Microplastics are taking flight - Advanced Science NewsNew research with samples from Pic du Midi Observatory reveal that microplastics are traversing the globe through the atmosphere.

IBD and microplastics: What is the link?In a recent study, researchers found that people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) had more microplastic in their stool than people without IBD.

Microplastics Can Pollute Rivers for Seven Years Before Entering Ocean, Study Finds - EcoWatchMicroplastics — small pieces of plastic less than five millimeters long — are the most common type of debris found in the ocean, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Ocean Service. But before they make it into the ocean, a new study has found that they can become stuck in riverbeds for up to seven years.

That’s a wrap: French plastic packaging ban for fruit and veg beginsLaw bans sale of carrots, bananas and other items in plastic as environment groups urge other countries to follow

Mapping microplastics on Australian beachesA team of researchers have released an interactive map that displays the density of microplastics along Australian beaches.

Companies race to stem flood of microplastic fibres into the oceansNew products range from washing machine filters and balls to fabrics made from kelp and orange peel

Tumble dryers found to be a leading source of microfibre air pollutionHong Kong scientists design simple filter system to capture the harmful microplastics – but there’s a catch

From washer to ocean: Saint John nonprofit wants people to know how microplastics travel | CBC NewsWhen doing laundry, people worry about shrinking sweaters and running colours. What they likely don’t think about is the plastic microfibres going from their washing machines to the waterways in their area.

More Microplastics Found in Feces of IBD Sufferers Than Healthy IndividualsResearchers found that people with inflammatory bowel disease have more microplastics in their feces than healthy controls, suggesting that the fragments could be related to the disease process.

Australia’s worst beaches for harmful microplastics revealedA popular beach for children can have up to 4000 pieces of plastic per square metre in its sand, concerning new research shows.

Rep. Chris Jacobs pushes fight against plastic in Great LakesJacobs, an Orchard Park Republican, is leading a bipartisan effort to boost funding for a new federal effort to combat plastic pollution in the Great Lakes as well as other

Scientists warn that ocean microplastic pollution may be greater than estimated The great diversity of scientific techniques and methods used in the study of marine microplastics pollution limits the current knowledge of this serious environmental problem threatening our ecosystems. This is the main conclusion of a study carried out by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ICTA-UAB) that reviews the research carried out to measure the presence of microplastics in the coastal areas and seawater of the Mediterranean Sea, both in the sea surface water, seawater column and in marine sediments. The conclusions show that the levels of microplastics in the Mediterranean are probably higher than estimated, but the methods used are not capable of recording them.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution shares details on microplastic detection project Microplastics are tiny plastic pieces that can be found in the ocean and atmosphere. Scientists’ current understanding of microplastics is that they are wides

December 2021

Lachine environmental group wants to reduce microplastics entering our waters | CBC NewsMicroplastics from clothing enter the environment in run off from washing machines. An environmental group in Lachine hopes filters on laundry equipment can reduce that phenomenon, and help scientists learn more about microfibres.

Microplastics are wreaking havoc on human cellsA study found the harm from ingesting microplastics included cell death and allergic reactions, and the research is the first to show this happens at levels relevant to human exposure.

People with inflammatory bowel disease have more microplastics in their feces: studyA small new study has found that people with inflammatory bowel disease have 50 per cent more microplastics in their feces.

Are microplastics making us resistant to antibiotics?Polystyrene is pretty much everywhere - in plastic packaging, teabags, clothing and take-away food containers - this means we’re likely ingesting millions of bacteria laced with microplastics.

We are ingesting microplastics at levels that may be harmfulNew research finds that the levels of microplastics humans ingest cause harm to human cells.

Now’s the Time For Lawmakers to Care About MicroplasticsRegulating these tiny, ubiquitous bits of plastic will not only address a public health threat, but also our dependence on fossil fuels.

Microplastics cause damage to human cells, study showsHarm included cell death and occurred at levels of plastic eaten by people via their food

Using the Circular Economy to Consider Microfibre Plastic PollutionReducing plastic waste to zero will require new alternative materials, recycling and reuse techniques, and increased commitment from policy makers and industry.

‘Deluge of plastic waste’: US is world’s biggest plastic polluterAt 42m metric tons of plastic waste a year, the US generates more waste than all EU countries combined

Microplastics may be linked to inflammatory bowel disease, study findsPeople with IBD have 50% more microplastics in their faeces but more research needed to confirm connection

Microplastics found in every tested waterway in Oregon, including Detroit LakeNew testing found microplastic contamination in each of 30 Oregon waterways tested, including in Detroit Lake, which provides Salem’s drinking water.

Are microplastics making us resistant to antibiotics?Polystyrene is pretty much everywhere - in plastic packaging, teabags, clothing and take-away food containers - this means we’re likely ingesting millions of bacteria laced with microplastics.

November 2021

IC Toxicology Lab investigates microplastics in Cayuga Lake | The IthacanThe IC Toxicology Lab estimates that Cayuga Lake has 100,000,000 microplastic particles in it, which can harm aquatic life and people.

Are Scientists Contaminating Their Own Microplastics Experiments?More than 70% of microplastics found in samples from oceans and rivers could come from the scientists collecting them, data suggests.

Researchers say microplastics might hurt Grand Strand marine wildlifeGEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Plastics are polluting South Carolina’s land, air and oceans. It’s a claim not exactly welcomed by coastal communities that depend on tourism and …

Local Scientists Are Researching How Microplastics Are Impacting the Potomac and Anacostia WatershedsLocal scientists are researching how microplastics are impacting the Potomac and Anacostia rivers. It's unclear how many have accumulated.

Microplastics in homes 100x higher than predictedMicroplastics in homes 100x higher than predicted

UNEP Publishes Scientific Assessment of Plastic Pollution | News | SDG Knowledge Hub | IISD

New dataset calculates 24 trillion pieces of microplastics in the ocean and countingIn the Age of Exploration, scientists sailed across the oceans to discover indigenous flora and fauna in faraway lands. Today, scientists are sailing the world's open seas equipped with a tow net and flowmeter to sample microplastics.

New fears over microplastics in your home: We inhale up to 7,000 particles EVERY day

October 2021

Plastic pollution on course to double by 2030 Plastic pollution in oceans and other bodies of water continues to grow sharply and could more than double by 2030, according to an assessment released on Thursday by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

Microplastics in the air affecting Earth's climate, study findsScientists in New Zealand have found that microplastics, which have been found in rivers, oceans, soil and animals, are also in the air we breathe and report that this airborne pollution is likely affecting climate change.

New Zealand Scientists Investigate Microplastics' Impact on Climate Change Researchers examine link between airborne plastics and global warming in pioneering study

Microplastics Work Their Way Up the Food Chain to Beluga WhalesMicroplastics are being found in even the most remote waters, say researchers who studied how the particles ended up in the stomachs of beluga whales through prey.

Are microplastics cooling and heating the Earth’s climate?Tiny bits of plastic are swirling in the sky, and a new model suggests they could be subtly affecting the climate.

Microplastics can accumulate in the blood of farm animals, says new research

August 2021

From Ocean to Table: Sardines Tainted With Microplastics | CSUF NewsGraduate student Chelsea Bowers' research on microplastics in Pacific sardines could help in finding solutions to marine pollution.

Microplastics found in 90% of protected Irish marine environments – studyMajority of plastics found around coast came from clothing and fishing equipment

You eat microplastics every day. Here's what it may be doing in your bodyExperiments found that microplastics could stretch cell membranes.

New instrument aims to aid ocean research into microplasticsOcean Diagnostics says its sampling device Ascension will 'revolutionize microplastics science

Growth of Microscopic Marine Animals Hindered by MicroplasticsPlastic pollution is not just a problem for larger marine animals. Dinoflagellates - single-celled marine predators - can also ingest microplastic, which limits their growth and consequently their overall abundance. This has implications for the larger animals that feed on them, in terms of available food and the transfer of energy up the food chain.

Microplastics: A trojan horse for metalsThe fact that microplastics can accumulate organic pollutants from the environment and transport them has been known for some time. What is new, however, is that metals can also be transported in this manner. In addition, the smaller the particles, the greater the metal accumulation on the plastic. This has been demonstrated by scientists at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon in a new study. The results were published now in the Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters.

July 2021

Microplastics: The ‘big little problem’ plaguing oceans | Coastal ReviewMicroplastics are a pervasive problem the North Carolina Coastal Federation addressed in a recent online forum with educators, researchers and environmental advocates.

Maine Will Make Companies Pay for Recycling. Here’s How It Works.The law aims to take the cost burden of recycling away from taxpayers. One environmental advocate said the change could be “transformative.”

Microplastics from your tires are likely reaching the most remote places on Earth, study findsThe amount of microplastics carried into the world's oceans by the wind is comparable to the amount washing in from rivers, a new study found. The report provides new insight into how this pollution is spreading around the world.

NASA satellites help scientists learn where polluting microplastics go in the oceanThe new technique reveals that concentrations of the tiny particles peak in each hemisphere during its respective summer season, researchers say.

Study finds microplastics pollution in the GangaThey are recognised as major source of marine pollution

Another release of a toxic substance causes alarm in the Cape Fear River basinThis time, Greensboro officials alerted downstream water utilities of a high-level discharge of 1,4 dioxane detected at its wastewater treatment plant in late June.

Want to clean up microplastics in the ocean? We just need more musselsAn enormous amount of water passes through mussels each day—but microplastics stay behind. Introducing more of the creatures who could help keep oceans cleaner—just make sure you have an easy way to harvest their plastic-filled poop.

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Opinion: Microplastics are getting into our bodies. We need to understand what that meansWe ingest tiny particles of plastic in our food, water and air. Scientists can't say precisely what this means for our health, but it can't be good.

Cleanup crews tackle gargantuan task of cleaning B.C. beaches inundated with plastic | CBC NewsAn ambitious project funded by the B.C. government hopes to collect ocean plastic along 1,200 kilometres of coastline.

EV tire trial to reduce air and microplastic pollution in London | Tire Technology InternationalDPD is joining forces with the electric vehicle tire developer Enso to conduct full road trials of a new commercial EV tire design, specified to reduce air and microplastic pollution. The trial is a part of Transport for London’s FreightLab Innovation Challenge, which is backed by the Mayor of London. ') } else { console.logRead More

Microplastics And Manta RaysWe know that plastic pollution is an overwhelming problem that faces our oceans, posing a significant threats to the filter feeders who call this ecosystem home. But what types of plastic are these animals accidentally ingesting?

Microplastics reach Lut desertTEHRAN – Recent studies by Iranian researchers have revealed the microplastic contamination in the soil of Kalout Shahdad and Lut deserts.

Ocean Microplastic Pollution Can Now Be Tracked By SatellitePlastic is the most common type of debris floating in the worlds oceans. Waves and sunlight break mu...

Microplastics in the Delaware Bay rival global hotspots, says UD researcherScientists say microplastics are everywhere —including in Delaware waterways.

June 2021

Oregon EPR bill set to kick off major state recycling changes, 'truth in labeling' debatePending finalization, the Recycling Modernization Act would require producer funding, set MRF labor standards, establish a standardized material list and much more. A new labeling task force could also feed into national debate.

Scientists find microplastics embedded in New Bedford and Cape Cod salt marshesThe researchers found the level of microplastics in a salt marsh increased as the level of urbanization of adjoining lands increased.

Deep Ocean Pollution: The Unseen Plastic Problem You've likely heard of the huge masses of floating plastic in our oceans. But these patches only account for 1 percent of marine plastic pollution. Where is the rest of it going?

Only with collaboration and engagement will we even begin to address the problem of microplastic pollutionA new institutional investor engagement group seeks to influence and accelerate change to prevent microplastics reaching the sea

Researchers Are Now Using Hurricane-Tracking Satellites to Combat Ocean Microplastics

Picture of Chesapeake microplastics grows clearer - The Southern Maryland ChronicleScientists have long suspected that the tiny plastic particles floating in the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers — consumed by a growing number of aquatic species — are anything but harmless. Now, studies by a regional workgroup are beginning to clarify the connections between the presence of microplastics and the harm they could be causing […]

Scientists use satellite data to track ocean microplasticsThe new technique relies on data from Nasa's Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System, a constellation of eight satellites

UNM Researchers Find Microplastics in Food and Water Alter the Immune SystemScientists estimate that each week we swallow 5 grams of tiny plastic particles that have found their way into our food and water supplies – equivalent to

Ocean microplastic levels change with the seasons - FuturityA new way to track ocean microplastics offers a day-by-day timeline of where they enter the water, how they move, and where they tend to collect.

Your yoga pants are spewing microplastics into the environment Worrisome microfibers from clothing have infiltrated virtually every ecosystem on the planet.

Research on ocean plastic surging, U.N. report findsBut many studies describe the problem rather than pointing to solutions

Soaring e-waste affects the health of millions of children, WHO warns • Today News AfricaEffective and binding action is urgently required to protect the millions of children, adolescents and expectant mothers worldwide whose health is jeopardized

Picture of Chesapeake microplastics grows clearerScientists have long suspected that the tiny plastic particles floating in the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers — consumed by a growing number of aquatic species — are anything but

University explores impact of climate change and microplastic pollution in AntarcticScientists from the University of Plymouth are involved in an international scientific expedition investigating how climate change is impacting the...

Boone installed its first Trash Trout on Winkler Creek on Wednesday, June 2. www.goblueridge.net/news/50103-trash-trout-installed-on-winkler-s-creek

A 'Bubble Barrier' is trapping plastic waste before it can get into the seaA stream of bubbles is catching trash in Amsterdam's Westerdok canal, preventing it from ultimately flowing into the North Sea.

Ocean microplastics: First global view shows seasonal changes and sourcesAn estimated 8 million tons of plastic trash enters the ocean each year, and most of it is battered by sun and waves into microplastics—tiny flecks that can ride currents hundreds or thousands of miles from their point of entry The debris can harm sea life and marine ecosystems, and it's extremel

May 2021

Honeybees are accumulating airborne microplastics on their bodiesScientists discover a new way to monitor airborne plastic particles. But do they harm bees?

Rain Gardens Could Keep Microplastics and Rubber Fragments Out of WaterwaysResearchers report that stormwater can be a large source of microplastics and rubber fragments to water bodies and, with a proof-of-concept experiment, show that a rain garden could keep these microscopic pieces out of a storm drain.

The Next Threat For California’s Ocean Habitats: MicroplasticsMicroplastics are endangering California's marine and coastal habitats and a new report suggests there's something that can be done about it.

Microplastics are everywhere — but are they harmful?Scientists are rushing to study the tiny plastic specks that are in marine animals — and in us.

Water companies are major sources of microplastics in the UK's riversWater companies must stop releasing untreated sewage and wastewater into rivers during periods of dry weather, an expert says.

Study reveals link between climate change and microplastic pollutionMarine researchers at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology have conducted a groundbreaking study which highlights for the first time a direct link between plastic pollution and climate change.

Microplastics are everywhere — but are they harmful?Scientists are rushing to study the tiny plastic specks that are in marine animals — and in us.

NUTEC Plastics: Using Nuclear Technologies to Address Plastic Pollution

Sri Lanka battles waves of plastic waste from burning shipTonnes of plastic pellets from a burning container ship swamped Sri Lanka's west coast Friday, prompting a ban on fishing as international efforts to salvage the vessel dragged into a ninth day.

February 2021

The Nurdle Patrol: Citizen Scientists Fight Pollution, One Pellet at a TimeNurdles are small plastic pellets that are causing a big problem. But citizen scientists are fighting back. In this episode, we talk with Jace Tunnell, Director of the Mission Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve, about how the Nurdle Patrol is taking on these problematic pellets, and how you can get involved.

2021 could be year for packaging EPR, nearly a dozen state bills in playLawmakers throughout the U.S. are increasingly interested in shifting more of recycling's financial implications to packaging manufacturers, with many taking a coordinated approach.

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