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Post by ZandraJoi on May 14, 2020 12:40:44 GMT -5
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stluee
Astronaut
Posts: 461
Likes: 311
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Post by stluee on Jun 15, 2020 14:35:52 GMT -5
I reuse some of my zip lock bags. Depends what was in it before.
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Post by ZandraJoi on Jun 17, 2020 10:17:19 GMT -5
There's a plastic bottle/ bag tree dryer out there. I got one for my mom. It's an easier way to dry those bags.
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Post by ellyfant on Jun 18, 2020 15:04:02 GMT -5
There's a plastic bottle/ bag tree dryer out there. I got one for my mom. It's an easier way to dry those bags. That's interesting, I always have a problem drying mine
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Post by ZandraJoi on Jun 26, 2020 8:09:00 GMT -5
www.organiclifestylemagazine.com/microplastics-are-everywhere-including-the-rain “Microplastics are Everywhere, Including the Rain Microplastics have been a problem for quite some time. These little particles of plastic are in everything. They come off of your clothes in the washing machine. They come off cigarette filters, plastic bottle fragments, and are common in beauty products around the world. These are only a few of the sources of microplastics, but they are everywhere, including the rain and the air. Microplastics are plastic fragments less than five millimeters long that get caught up in Earth’s atmospheric systems and ocean ecosystems. After collecting data for 14 months, researchers calculated that more than 1,000 metric tons of microplastics are falling into protected areas of the western U.S every year, the equivalent of 120 million water bottles. Protected areas of the U.S, where samples were collected, only make up 6% of the U.S. In the series of unfortunate events that is plastic pollution, researchers have come across a new problem that rivals that of acid rain; plastic rain. Because of the way microplastics move through our atmosphere they are now quite literally falling out of the sky, in the rain. As they fall into the oceans, and onto protected land, there is no way to get rid of them, and the problem is only expected to get worse. Plastic waste is expected to increase from 260 million tons a year to 460 million tons a year by 2030 as more developing countries join the middle class. More consumerism equals more plastic. “More troubling still, microplastics eventually break into nanoplastics, bits so small that researchers may not be able to detect them without the right equipment. “I couldn’t see anything smaller than four microns, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t there,” says Brahney. “Just because we can’t see them in front of us, doesn’t mean we’re not breathing them in.” Plastic rain is the new acid rainOf the wind and rain samples collected, 98% contain microplastics. Microfibers make up around 70% of the microplastics collected while around 30% were microbeads, commonly found in beauty products. Microbeads have been banned from beauty products in the U.S since 2015. The rate at which humans consume is causing irreversible, unprecedented damage to our Earth. Plastic rain is just one of the many problems created in recent years of constant consumerism.” My notes: It’s a bigger deal than manufacturers want us to believe.
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Post by ellyfant on Jun 26, 2020 14:42:43 GMT -5
Scary stuff isn't it and i'd be fascinated to know just what all this plastic is doing to our health and bodies
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stluee
Astronaut
Posts: 461
Likes: 311
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Post by stluee on Jul 18, 2020 22:35:37 GMT -5
I hate that my town had recycling for several years, then dropped it for some dumb reason.I can't remember Now I cringe when I throw recycables away. I don't have a place to store them.
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Post by ZandraJoi on Jul 20, 2020 20:05:10 GMT -5
stluee, Are there drop-off locations you can take them to?
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Post by ZandraJoi on Aug 20, 2020 20:17:44 GMT -5
www.naturalnews.com/2020-08-19-millions-of-microplastics-in-the-ocean.html“Microplastics in the Atlantic Ocean could amount to more than 200 million tons, according to recent projections There could be more than 200 million tons of minuscule plastic fragments floating across and beneath the entire Atlantic Ocean, and that’s just for three of the most littered plastics. In a major breakthrough, scientists from the U.K.’s National Oceanography Centre (NOC) found 12–21 million tons of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene suspended in the top 200 meters (m) of the Atlantic. Lead author Katsiaryna Pabortsava said that after measuring the mass of microplastics in the top five percent of the ocean, she and her team had been able to estimate the mass of microplastics up to a depth of about 3000 m. This is the first large-scale assessment of microplastic load done across the entire Atlantic Ocean, from the U.K. to the Falklands, she added. Their findings appeared online in the journal Nature Communications. Microplastic load in oceans is ten times higher than earlier estimates In order to determine the dangers of plastic contamination to marine life and to humans, scientists first need good estimates of the amount of this material in the ocean to begin with, said Pabortsava. In using accurate figures, scientists can better understand how plastic degrades and how toxic it is at certain concentrations. But for decades, scientists had been unable to balance the mass of actual floating plastic in the ocean with the estimated mass thought to have entered the ocean since 1950. This is because earlier studies had neglected to measure concentrations of microplastics beneath the ocean surface, she explained. To this end, Pabortsava and her team collected seawater samples from the Atlantic Ocean in a 2016 expedition. The group then filtered samples at selected depths and used spectroscopic imaging techniques to determine the plastic contaminants in the samples. Then, assuming the concentration of microplastics measured at 200 m deep is the same for depths reaching 3000 m, the Atlantic Ocean could hold 200 million tons of three of the most littered plastics alone. This figure is much higher than scientists had estimated in the past, according to co-author Richard Lampitt. That said, considering that plastics of other sizes and characteristics have been found in the deeper ocean and in the sediments, it makes sense that the mass of ocean plastics is much higher than earlier estimates. Therefore, the research indicates that scientists have been underestimating the extent of plastic pollution in the oceans. The next step now would be to determine the sources of these plastics and the processes responsible for or involved in plastic pollution in the ocean. Without this fundamental knowledge, it will be difficult to gauge the harms associated with plastic pollution, and to determine how best to use and dispose of plastic, the researchers concluded. Marine mammals are ingesting microplastics Scientists still do not understand the possible impact of microplastics in the health of marine mammals and ocean health, in general. But existing studies on marine life point to plastic pollution as one of the main culprits behind frequent beachings and deaths of marine mammals like seals and dolphins. In 2019, for instance, researchers from the University of Exeter and the Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) in England studied 50 marine mammals, including dolphins, that had been stranded around the coasts of Britain. The group found that all 50 animals sampled had ingested microplastics. Lead author Sarah Nelms said that their findings are shocking but not surprising. Nelms and her team found that nylon made up more than 60 percent of the microplastics that the animals had ingested. The group suspected fishing ropes and nets as possible sources of these microplastics. Penelope Lindeque, the head of the marine plastics research group at PLM and a member of the research team, said that the ubiquitous presence of plastic is disconcerting. She has found microplastics in all sorts of marine animals, including zooplankton and turtles, as part of her research. (Related: Microplastic pollution is changing ocean ecosystems.) The ocean is a soup of microplastics, said Lindeque. Chemicals from these plastics could be leaching into the ocean and poisoning marine animals, she added. There are also recent studies that affirm this might be so. In 2019, for example, scientists found high amounts of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), among other toxic pollutants, in the blubber of bottlenose dolphins in the English Channel’s Normanno-Breton Gulf. PCBs, a group of chemicals found in plastics, had been banned for decades because of their potential to harm both animals and humans. But these chemicals still remain in oceans and landfills decades after the ban because of their extreme resistance to degradation. These studies indicate a pressing need for humans to reduce their plastic use. In doing so, humans can better protect marine life, said Lindeque. Read more articles about ocean health and plastic pollution at OceanHealthNews.com. Sources include: ScienceDaily.com Nature.com TheGuardian.com DailyMail.co.uk ”
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Post by ZandraJoi on Aug 28, 2020 12:01:54 GMT -5
www.naturalnews.com/2020-08-26-microplastics-are-harming-earthworms-plants-soil.html"Scientists warn that microplastics are harming earthworms, plant health and soil pH Researchers from the Anglia Ruskin University found that microplastic can curb the growth of earthworms, potentially affecting plant and soil health. Earthworms play an important role in the soil ecosystem as they dramatically alter soil structure, nutrient dynamics, water movement and plant growth. But the presence of microplastics is harming earthworms, according to the findings published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. “The earthworms lost weight overall when certain microplastics were present and grew significantly in weight in soil without added microplastics,” said first author Das Boots. Impact of microplastic on soil health In the study, the researchers looked at the impact of different types of microplastics on ryegrass and on Aporrectodea rosea, or rosy-lipped earthworm. They added high-density polyethylene (HDPE), biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) and microplastic clothing fibers, acrylic and nylon, to separate sets of soil where the earthworms are burrowing and ryegrass is growing. They also created a control set-up in which no microplastic is present. HDPE is commonly used in the production of carrier bags and plastic bottles, while PLA is a biodegradable form of plastic that is used in food packaging materials, textiles and engineering plastics. After 30 days in the presence of HDPE, the earthworms lost an average of 3.1 percent weight. Meanwhile, the earthworms living in control conditions gained weight by an average of 5.1 percent over the same period of time. The researchers also found that the soil with HDPE had lower soil pH, which means that it was more acidic. On the other hand, soil containing PLA reduced the shoot height of ryegrass, while soil containing both PLA and the clothing fibers had fewer germinating ryegrass seeds compared to the control soil. The precise mechanisms that led to these results are unknown. But the authors posit that the earthworms likely experienced the same responses as aquatic lugworms, which were previously studied under polluted conditions. These responses include the irritation and obstruction of the digestive tract, reducing nutrient absorption and growth. The authors added that the effects microplastic bear important implications for the soil ecosystem. “It’s highly likely that any pollution that impacts the health of soil fauna, such as earthworms, may have cascading effects on other aspects of the soil ecosystem, such as plant growth,” said co-author Connor Russell. Sewage sludge used as fertilizer contains tons of microplastic Many farmers have been using sewage sludge as a supplement to traditional fertilizers. Although it is principally waste, sewage sludge also contains valuable nutrients that can boost crop production. There are regulations in the use of sewage sludge in agriculture. However, tons of microplastics still get transferred to fertilizer sludge, according to an article published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. The amount of sewage sludge that gets used as fertilizer varies per country. In Europe and North America, about 50 percent of sewage sludge was used in this manner. The researchers estimated that about 110,000 to 730,000 tons of microplastic are transferred to agricultural soils in Europe and North America every year. (Related: Crops absorb pharmaceuticals from sewage sludge spread on farmlands.) According to co-author Luca Nizzetto of the Norwegian Institute for Water Research, “We have found figures from the Nordic countries suggesting that a large fraction of all the microplastics generated in Western societies tend to end up in the sludge in wastewater treatment plants.” The tonnage of microplastic is greatly polluting the soil ecosystem. And as the previous study showed, it could be altering soil health and fauna, affecting the crops that eventually end up as food. Learn more about the effects of microplastics on soil health at Microplastics.news. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk NRCS.USDA.gov ScienceDirect.com ScienceDaily.com "
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Post by ZandraJoi on Aug 31, 2020 20:10:30 GMT -5
www.naturalawakenings.com/2020/08/31/325497/starchy-solution-a-plant-based-alternative-to-plastic “Starchy Solution: A Plant-Based Alternative to Plastic Japanese manufacturer Kuraray has introduced a renewable and sustainable starch-based barrier film called Plantic. The plant-based packaging material can be recycled or composted to achieve a circular product cycle. Conventional packaging made from multiple layers of plastic can cause recovery issues, and perishable food imposes unique demands on wrapping. Plantic packaging washes away or decomposes after use. It includes compostable coffee pouches, as well as a barrier layer to package meat, seafood and poultry products with continuous protection against oxygen and other gases that spoil food. The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that one-third of all produced food is wasted in the supply chain.” My notes: I wish all these companies would have bigwigs stand behind them so we can eliminate plastics.
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Post by ZandraJoi on Aug 31, 2020 20:12:52 GMT -5
www.naturalawakenings.com/2020/08/31/325501/plastic-rain-airborne-particulates-blanket-wilderness “Plastic Rain: Airborne Particulates Blanket Wilderness Researchers estimate more than 1,000 tons of microplastics, equal to more than 123 million plastic water bottles, are deposited from the air into national parks and wilderness areas each year. Utah State University assistant professor Janice Brahney and her team used high-resolution atmospheric deposition data to identify microplastics and other particulates collected over 14 months in 11 national parks and wilderness areas. In a report in Science, they identified the plastic and polymers composition to track its sources and movement, and found that most of the plastics deposited in both wet and dry samples were microfibers sourced from both clothing and industrial materials. Approximately 30 percent of the particles were brightly colored microbeads likely derived from industrial paints and coatings. Brahney says, “We confirmed through 32 different particle scans that roughly 4 percent of the atmospheric particles analyzed from these remote locations were synthetic polymers.” The same high resilience and longevity that makes plastics useful lead to progressive fragmentation instead of degradation in the environment. Clear and white particles were not included because they did not meet the criteria for visual counting, so estimates of plastic deposition were conservative.” My notes: Even if we stop plastic production, the damage is already great.
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Post by ZandraJoi on Sept 8, 2020 20:23:51 GMT -5
www.naturalnews.com/2020-09-08-shocking-levels-of-microplastics-in-children.html"Polluted bodies: Researchers find shocking levels of microplastics in CHILDREN Scientists are still unsure about the health risks that microplastic ingestion poses to human health. But that’s starting to change thanks to recent studies. In a major breakthrough, researchers from the German Environment Agency (UBA) and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) found that 97 percent of the blood and urine samples of some 2,500 children tested, aged three to 17, had traces of microplastics, or the small pieces of plastic that occur as a consequence of plastic pollution. These results are troubling, suggesting that children are exposed to countless sources of microplastics inside the home. The results also indicate that more and more plastic ingredients are being found inside human bodies in recent times, said Marike Kolossa-Gehring, a toxicologist at UBA and a member of the research team. Their findings appeared online in the German publication Der Spiegel. Toxic clothes, cooking utensils, food packaging The ocean is abundant in microplastics. The plastic fibers, often no bigger than a sesame seed, can be detected in different species of fish and shellfish that humans consume. This alone could be a testament to the degree of global plastic pollution, but scientists are racing to figure out the implications of this pollution for human health. In this most recent research, German scientists found that humans also face a heightened risk of microplastic exposure from the frequent use of plastic products, certain fabrics, food packaging and cooking utensils. Some of the chemicals identified pose no apparent health risk, but the researchers expressed the most concern regarding disturbing amounts of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in the blood and urine samples. This man-made chemical is used around the globe to make non-stick and stainproof coatings for pans, clothes and other products. Numerous studies indicate that exposure to PFOA in certain amounts can result in health issues and complications, including birth defects. It has also been found to be carcinogenic in animal trials. The researchers also speculated that children that aren’t from rich or middle class areas face the greatest risk of microplastic ingestion. The long-term damage of this exposure also cannot be ruled out. The group said that these findings should be a clear call for more regulations against the use of PFOA and the other chemicals found in the samples. The European Union (EU) is set to ban PFOA sometime in 2020. Microplastics disrupt hormone production This isn’t the first time that researchers studied cases of microplastic ingestion in humans. In 2018, scientists from the Medical University of Vienna and the Environment Agency Austria monitored a group of eight participants, each from a different country around the globe. The scientists detected the presence of up to nine different kinds of microplastics in all of the stool samples. In addition, based on the entries in the participants’ food diaries, the scientists speculated that microplastic ingestion is linked to drinking from plastic bottles or consuming foods that use plastic packaging. Six of the participants consumed sea fish. In all, the scientists found 20 microplastic particles per 10 g of stool. These findings serve to confirm suspicions that plastics have reached the human gut, the group said. From there, microplastic particles are capable of entering the bloodstream and reaching different organs. More research is needed to understand the potential effects of microplastic exposure, but current studies are blaming microplastics for disrupting the function and production of hormones implicated in important cellular processes, such as immune response to infection and disease. Bisphenol A (BPA) is one such hormone-disrupting chemical. It is one of the most studied toxic chemicals because of its ubiquitous presence in food packaging. But this same ubiquitous presence could also be posing a threat to both marine life and humans. Scientists have reported that the degradation of BPA-containing hard plastics has led to BPA leaking into the ocean at concentrations ranging from .01 to 0.50 parts per million. Experts are still hard-pressed to understand the implications of this plastic pollution consequence for marine and human health. But one disturbing scenario that scientists are considering is that BPA and degraded, minuscule pieces of plastic could bioaccumulate in the fish and shellfish that end up on our dinner tables. (Related: Do you have plastic in your gut? You might, if you drink water from the tap.) Read more articles about the health risks that microplastics pose to human health at StopEatingPoison.com. Sources include: GlobalResearch.ca UEG.eu Wired.com " My notes: I shudder to think what the levels in us adults are!
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Post by Bob on Sept 13, 2020 9:59:07 GMT -5
There are so many plastics out there in the landfills. I have worked at a plastics manufacturer for over 20 years and you would be astonished at what we throw out in a day. We grind and reuse a lot of what we scrap, and we recycle quite a bit. But there are hundreds of pounds going into landfills that we cannot reuse or recycle. And we are just one relatively small company. I can just imagine what it's like all over the world.
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Post by ZandraJoi on Sept 15, 2020 8:47:07 GMT -5
www.naturalnews.com/2020-09-13-delicate-wash-cycles-release-microplastic-fibers.html"An unlikely threat to oceans: Delicate wash cycles on washing machines release tons of microplastic fibers into waterways The delicate wash cycle in washing machines may not be so delicate after all: Recent research found that delicate wash cycles shed more microfibers than ordinary spin cycles. Researchers from Newcastle University partnered with Proctor & Gamble to test the effects of various variables such as temperature and water volume on microfiber shedding. They found that the greater the water volume, the more microfibers are shed. In a delicate wash cycle, more volumes of water are needed to adequately wash the clothes, upending current notions that place the blame on abrasive wash cycles. The study suggests that it might be time to rethink the way people wash their delicates in order to minimize water pollution. Microfibers are major pollutants of the world’s oceans; they bypass wastewater filters due to their minute size and make their way into rivers and seas. “By avoiding high water-volume-to-fabric washes such as the delicate cycles and ensuring full wash loads,” said co-author Max Kelly, “we can all do our bit to help reduce the amount of these synthetic fibres being released into the environment.” The findings of the study were published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology. Delicate wash cycle pollutes oceans A report from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature found that synthetic clothes and textiles contribute to 35 percent of primary microplastics found in oceans. Primary microplastics are very small particles that are five millimeters or less in size. They are directly released into the environment. Clothes shed plastic microfibers through washing. In fact, more than 4,500 fibers are plucked per gram of fabric in each wash, according to preliminary research by the Plastic Soup Foundation, an ocean conservation project in Amsterdam that’s funded by the European Union. For the study, the researchers measured how many plastic microfibers are shed from polyester clothing for a range of cycles. They first used a tergotometer, a device composed of eight washing vessels that simulate domestic washing, testing whether changing the spin speed, temperature, time and water volume affects the number of plastic microfibers that get released. Then, the team tested polyester fabric on identical washing machines at a Procter & Gamble facility using a delicate wash cycle. They found that 800,000 more plastic microfibers are plucked from clothing in a delicate wash cycle than a standard wash cycle. This is because a delicate wash cycle uses more water, the researchers found. Previous research suggested that machine agitation is the most important factor affecting microfiber shedding. Machine agitation is composed of the spin speed, the number of changes in spin direction and the length of pauses during a wash cycle. “The high volume of water used in a delicate cycle, which is supposed to protect sensitive clothing from damage, actually ‘plucks’ away more fibers from the material,” said Kelly. Mitigating environmental pollution is everyone’s responsibility, added Kelly. Introducing small changes to one’s washing habits can make a big difference. (Related: Minimizing fibers used in synthetic fabrics can reduce plastic pollution and save marine life.) How microfibers harm oceans While microplastics are very small and lightweight, they cumulatively impact the environment in significant ways. They get scattered throughout the world’s waters, from tropical waters to polar ice, from freshwater to even the atmosphere. Previous research found that microfibers are responsible for 85 percent of shoreline pollution around the world. Microfibers are also effective conveyors of other pollutants; they leach chemicals added to plastics or absorb pollutants in the water around them. Due to their size, marine animals can mistake them for food. Authorities previously found microplastics in zooplankton, fish, mussels and whales. When ingested, chemicals in microplastics may affect the bodily functions of animals. Microfibers also affect humans as they can pollute drinking water and the air, as well as find their way into our food. These hazards highlight the importance of curbing water and air pollution and the need to enact policies regulating the use of microplastics. Learn more about the hazards of plastic microfibers at OceanHealthNews.com. Sources include: MindBodyGreen.com OceanCleanWash.org TheGuardian.com EurekaAlert.org MarineDebris.NOAA.gov IntelligentLiving.co" My notes: I don't use the Delicate wash. Our clothes are just regular ones. But I'm amazed at all the plastics that are out there. That's why I also don't champion for clothing made from plastics.
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Post by ZandraJoi on Sept 17, 2020 20:15:11 GMT -5
My notes & thoughts: Thinking of plastic bags at stores- Everybody worried ‘bout Iran, Iraq oil but we do the most damage here. Our plastic dependency i.e. oil dependency. Bags, disposables, etc. www.freetheocean.com Question of the day from earlier this year. “What do the beverage companies Coke and Pepsi have in common? They’re both… … Being sued.” Good! 10 companies total, incl Nestle. Even if it doesn't 'make' it, at least somebody has the guts to try to make a difference. Will keep tabs on this 'cos I know it will take awhile w/ 'red tape'. www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/articles/entry/earth-island-coke-pepsi-nestle-plastic-pollution-lawsuit
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Post by Bob on Sept 19, 2020 16:53:01 GMT -5
It would be nice to see something better happen. Like all must be in cans? It's sad that so much plastic that is recyclable isn't recycled. And that it ends up in the ocean. People just don't care. They never really see it so, out of sight, out of mind.
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Post by ZandraJoi on Oct 18, 2020 8:48:45 GMT -5
blogs.mercola.com/sites/vitalvotes/archive/2020/10/18/microplastics-on-the-ocean-floor-are-25-times-greater-than-thought.aspx"Microplastics on the Ocean Floor Are 25 Times Greater Than Thought The world’s seafloor is filled with 14 million tons of microplastics — 25 times greater than previous research showed! The microplastics are broken down from the masses of rubbish entering the oceans every year. Researchers from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) looked at the deep ocean 236 miles from the coast of South Australia and found the number of microplastics on the seafloor was more than double the amount of plastic pollution on the surface of the sea globally. “Our research found that the deep ocean is a sink for microplastics,” lead research scientist Denise Hardesty said in a statement. “We were surprised to observe high microplastic loads in such a remote location.” Microplastics ranging in size from 5mm — the size of a rice grain — down to microscopic size, are easily ingested by sea creatures. They include small pieces of synthetic fibers and plastic beads used in cosmetic items, toothpaste and laundry powder soap. The microplastics are in addition to 150 million metric tons of plastic that are already floating in our oceans, with 8 million more tons ending up in the water each year. Plastic pollution in the world’s oceans is an internationally recognized environmental problem. Millions of tons of plastic enter marine ecosystems every year, and quantities are expected to increase in the coming years. The study highlights the urgency of finding effective solutions to stop plastic pollution before it reaches the oceans, which could include cutting back the use of plastic in general, concentrating on single-use plastics and increased recycling across the globe." My notes: I encourage everybody to do their part & to encourage others as well.
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Post by ZandraJoi on Oct 22, 2020 11:46:29 GMT -5
blogs.mercola.com/sites/vitalvotes/archive/2020/10/22/baby-bottles-release-millions-of-microplastic-parts.aspx"Researchers are calling for new guidelines on prepping infant formula in plastic baby bottles, after finding that polypropylene bottles release millions of microplastics into the formula at the rate of 16.2 million microplastic particles per liter. Hot water increased the release to 55 millionparticles. Bottle sterilization and prepping alone exposes babies to 1 million microplastic particles daily." My notes: What a way to start a life! Already ingesting toxic substances.
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Post by ZandraJoi on Oct 23, 2020 12:00:49 GMT -5
www.naturalnews.com/2020-10-22-nonprofit-cleaning-up-waste-from-pacific.html"Nonprofit group cleaning up plastic waste from Great Pacific Garbage Patch The removal of plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is now well underway, thanks to the efforts of Ocean Cleanup, a nonprofit geared towards cleaning the world’s oceans. The cleanup, made possible by a large device designed by Ocean Cleanup founder and CEO Boyan Slat, successfully captured and held debris ranging from large cartons, crates and abandoned fishing gear to microplastics, according to a press release published by the nonprofit. “Today, I am very proud to share with you that we are now catching plastics,” Slat said. Novel device allows for large scale oceanic trash collection Slat described the Ocean Cleanup device as being a U-shaped barrier that drops a net below the surface. According to Slat, the net traps moving objects once it gets moved by ocean currents, while at the same time, allowing fish and marine life to swim safely beneath it. Slat first presented the plans about a barrier near the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in a TEDx talk that he delivered when he was 18 years old. Now 26, Slat said his original plans were slowed by what he described as “spectacular failures.” These included a design flaw that stopped the barrier from holding onto the plastic it captured, as well as an instance in which a 59-foot section of the barrier disconnected from the device. In addition, another design flaw caused the device would pick up speed from the ocean currents, thus outpacing the plastic litter it was supposed to catch. These flaws, Slat said, led to them retooling the device, including the addition of a parachute-anchor. This parachute anchor helped draw fast-moving plastics into the barrier. “Our team has remained steadfast in its determination to solve immense technical challenges to arrive at this point,” Slat said in the statement. He noted that they’re looking forward to continuing their next phase of development, which is the scaling-up of the project in a bid to remove half of the entire Great Pacific Garbage Patch. According to Ocean Cleanup, this next iteration of their device – dubbed System 002 – will be a full-scale cleanup device that will be able to endure rough ocean conditions and retain the collected plastic for long periods of time between collections. The collected plastic, Ocean Cleanup said, will be returned to land and processed for recycling. What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? The largest of five offshore plastic accumulation zones in the world’s oceans, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, is a swath of plastic debris brought and kept together by a whirlpool of currents. Located halfway between Hawaii and California, this garbage patch covers an estimated surface area of 1.6 million square kilometers – an area twice the size of Texas or three times the size of France. (Related: Waves of trash wash up on pristine beaches of Honduran town.) According to experts, the mass of the plastic located in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is estimated to be approximately 80,000 tons – a figure equivalent to the total mass of 500 Jumbo Jets. In addition, a total of 1.8 trillion plastic pieces are estimated to be floating in the patch – a plastic count that is equivalent to 250 pieces of plastic for every human in the world. For more stories about the world’s oceans, visit OceanHealthNews.com. Sources include: WakingTimes.com BusinessInsider.com OceanService.NOAA.gov TheOceanCleanup.com " My notes: I wish the bigwigs out there, instead of spending money on fattening their own pocketbooks would help issues like this.
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Post by ZandraJoi on Nov 21, 2020 13:12:43 GMT -5
www.naturalnews.com/2020-11-19-3-ways-protect-yourself-toxic-plastic-products.html"Cut down your plastic footprint: 3 Ways to protect yourself from TOXIC plastic products Plastic is a versatile material, but it’s also one of the most dangerous to your health. According to a study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, the majority of plastic products you use every day are full of toxic chemicals. Common plastic products contain various toxins Plastic waste continues to accumulate across the planet, with plastic pollution even ending up in the ocean and harming marine animals. Researchers studied plastics in commonly used products, such as yogurt cups and bath sponges, and found that three-quarters of them contained toxic chemicals. (Related: REPORT: 8–14 million tons of microplastics are polluting the ocean floor.) Martin Wagner, a biologist at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and coauthor of the study, explained that it’s difficult to determine which substances were in the products tested because plastics are made of a complex chemical cocktail. Plastics are made using thousands of chemicals. It’s impossible to determine if they’re safe for regular use. Even if manufacturers know which ingredients are used for their products, they’re not required to reveal this information. Over 5,000 different types of plastic are used to make different products, such as food packaging, furniture and toys. These plastics, meanwhile, are made with thousands of different chemicals. For food packaging alone, manufacturers use at least 4,000 different chemicals, making it hard to study plastics comprehensively and identify which chemicals are dangerous to human health. To narrow their search, the researchers tested items made from eight types of plastics that are used to manufacture everyday products. They exposed cell cultures to the mix of chemicals found in these plastics. The researchers found that: An alarming 60 percent of products were toxic to cells. About 40 percent induced oxidative stress, which is known to cause diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer. Thirty percent had endocrine disruptive effects, which can cause birth defects, cancers and developmental disorders in children. The researchers were stumped when it came to identifying the toxic chemicals in the plastic products. They couldn’t even name most of the chemicals in the plastics. Of the more than 1,400 substances tested, the researchers were able to identify only 260 of them. Most of the tested plastics contained toxic chemicals. For example, out of four different kinds of plastic yogurt containers studied, two were toxic to cells. In the past, plastic was mostly made from petroleum and other fossil fuels. Thankfully, more people have been looking for greener ways to produce plastic from renewable resources like plants instead of petroleum. Unfortunately, these bioplastics have the same chemical structure as other kinds of plastic. Additionally, they’re linked to similar risks. How to protect yourself from toxic plastic Being more conscious of the products you use is key to avoiding toxins in plastic. The researchers offered three suggestions to protect yourself from toxic plastic products. Reduce your plastic footprint. This includes buying fresh food or unpackaged products. You can also use products made of other materials like glass or wood. Avoid products that contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyurethane (PUR), which are both full of toxins. PVC is often used to make everyday products, such as: Apparel Food packaging Industrial pipes Kitchen items Office supplies Plastic furniture Plastic swimming pools Plastic wrap Vinyl flooring Vinyl siding When buying products, check each one for the #3 recycling code used to identify anything made with PVC. Support movements for safer products. Write to retailers and manufacturers and ask them to be transparent about what materials their products are made of. Encourage lawmakers to strictly regulate the industry and eliminate toxic plastics that can affect public health. Below are more tips that you can follow to avoid exposure to toxins in plastic: Bring refillable water bottles. Use glass or stainless steel drinking straws and say no to plastic utensils when dining out or ordering take out. Always carry reusable shopping bags or tote bags. Buy pantry staples and other dry foods at bulk bins. Purchase organic cosmetics, toiletries and cleaning products in plastic-free containers. Reduce plastic waste and avoid buying products made with toxic plastics. Learn more about plastic waste and how to reduce your plastic footprint at Pollution.news. Sources include: FastCompany.com EcoWatch.com MyPlasticFreeLife.com " My notes: Key is to JUST start. Don't wait for 'the right time'. That right time is Now.
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Post by Bob on Nov 24, 2020 19:52:33 GMT -5
blogs.mercola.com/sites/vitalvotes/archive/2020/10/18/microplastics-on-the-ocean-floor-are-25-times-greater-than-thought.aspx"Microplastics on the Ocean Floor Are 25 Times Greater Than Thought The world’s seafloor is filled with 14 million tons of microplastics — 25 times greater than previous research showed! The microplastics are broken down from the masses of rubbish entering the oceans every year. Researchers from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) looked at the deep ocean 236 miles from the coast of South Australia and found the number of microplastics on the seafloor was more than double the amount of plastic pollution on the surface of the sea globally. “Our research found that the deep ocean is a sink for microplastics,” lead research scientist Denise Hardesty said in a statement. “We were surprised to observe high microplastic loads in such a remote location.” Microplastics ranging in size from 5mm — the size of a rice grain — down to microscopic size, are easily ingested by sea creatures. They include small pieces of synthetic fibers and plastic beads used in cosmetic items, toothpaste and laundry powder soap. The microplastics are in addition to 150 million metric tons of plastic that are already floating in our oceans, with 8 million more tons ending up in the water each year. Plastic pollution in the world’s oceans is an internationally recognized environmental problem. Millions of tons of plastic enter marine ecosystems every year, and quantities are expected to increase in the coming years. The study highlights the urgency of finding effective solutions to stop plastic pollution before it reaches the oceans, which could include cutting back the use of plastic in general, concentrating on single-use plastics and increased recycling across the globe." My notes: I encourage everybody to do their part & to encourage others as well. The United Nations or some other global entity needs to come up with a way to stop countries from dumping plastic into the oceans. It's f--ked up that they can just dump their trash into the ocean without consequence.
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Post by Bob on Nov 24, 2020 19:55:50 GMT -5
blogs.mercola.com/sites/vitalvotes/archive/2020/10/22/baby-bottles-release-millions-of-microplastic-parts.aspx"Researchers are calling for new guidelines on prepping infant formula in plastic baby bottles, after finding that polypropylene bottles release millions of microplastics into the formula at the rate of 16.2 million microplastic particles per liter. Hot water increased the release to 55 millionparticles. Bottle sterilization and prepping alone exposes babies to 1 million microplastic particles daily." My notes: What a way to start a life! Already ingesting toxic substances. In this day and age, anyone who is still heating things up in plastic and giving it to babies is either stupid or uneducated. Glass bottles are so much better. It's beyond me that people would still do this.
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Post by Bob on Nov 24, 2020 20:01:18 GMT -5
www.naturalnews.com/2020-10-22-nonprofit-cleaning-up-waste-from-pacific.html"Nonprofit group cleaning up plastic waste from Great Pacific Garbage Patch The removal of plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is now well underway, thanks to the efforts of Ocean Cleanup, a nonprofit geared towards cleaning the world’s oceans. The cleanup, made possible by a large device designed by Ocean Cleanup founder and CEO Boyan Slat, successfully captured and held debris ranging from large cartons, crates and abandoned fishing gear to microplastics, according to a press release published by the nonprofit. “Today, I am very proud to share with you that we are now catching plastics,” Slat said. Novel device allows for large scale oceanic trash collection Slat described the Ocean Cleanup device as being a U-shaped barrier that drops a net below the surface. According to Slat, the net traps moving objects once it gets moved by ocean currents, while at the same time, allowing fish and marine life to swim safely beneath it. Slat first presented the plans about a barrier near the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in a TEDx talk that he delivered when he was 18 years old. Now 26, Slat said his original plans were slowed by what he described as “spectacular failures.” These included a design flaw that stopped the barrier from holding onto the plastic it captured, as well as an instance in which a 59-foot section of the barrier disconnected from the device. In addition, another design flaw caused the device would pick up speed from the ocean currents, thus outpacing the plastic litter it was supposed to catch. These flaws, Slat said, led to them retooling the device, including the addition of a parachute-anchor. This parachute anchor helped draw fast-moving plastics into the barrier. “Our team has remained steadfast in its determination to solve immense technical challenges to arrive at this point,” Slat said in the statement. He noted that they’re looking forward to continuing their next phase of development, which is the scaling-up of the project in a bid to remove half of the entire Great Pacific Garbage Patch. According to Ocean Cleanup, this next iteration of their device – dubbed System 002 – will be a full-scale cleanup device that will be able to endure rough ocean conditions and retain the collected plastic for long periods of time between collections. The collected plastic, Ocean Cleanup said, will be returned to land and processed for recycling. What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? The largest of five offshore plastic accumulation zones in the world’s oceans, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, is a swath of plastic debris brought and kept together by a whirlpool of currents. Located halfway between Hawaii and California, this garbage patch covers an estimated surface area of 1.6 million square kilometers – an area twice the size of Texas or three times the size of France. (Related: Waves of trash wash up on pristine beaches of Honduran town.) According to experts, the mass of the plastic located in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is estimated to be approximately 80,000 tons – a figure equivalent to the total mass of 500 Jumbo Jets. In addition, a total of 1.8 trillion plastic pieces are estimated to be floating in the patch – a plastic count that is equivalent to 250 pieces of plastic for every human in the world. For more stories about the world’s oceans, visit OceanHealthNews.com. Sources include: WakingTimes.com BusinessInsider.com OceanService.NOAA.gov TheOceanCleanup.com " My notes: I wish the bigwigs out there, instead of spending money on fattening their own pocketbooks would help issues like this. Yeah, they really need to get on board with cleaning this up. Gates is one asshole that could spend some of his money on cleaning up the oceans, instead of supporting toxic vaccines and coming up with ways to slowly kill people.
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Post by Bob on Nov 24, 2020 20:05:27 GMT -5
www.naturalnews.com/2020-11-19-3-ways-protect-yourself-toxic-plastic-products.html"Cut down your plastic footprint: 3 Ways to protect yourself from TOXIC plastic products Plastic is a versatile material, but it’s also one of the most dangerous to your health. According to a study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, the majority of plastic products you use every day are full of toxic chemicals. Common plastic products contain various toxins Plastic waste continues to accumulate across the planet, with plastic pollution even ending up in the ocean and harming marine animals. Researchers studied plastics in commonly used products, such as yogurt cups and bath sponges, and found that three-quarters of them contained toxic chemicals. (Related: REPORT: 8–14 million tons of microplastics are polluting the ocean floor.) Martin Wagner, a biologist at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and coauthor of the study, explained that it’s difficult to determine which substances were in the products tested because plastics are made of a complex chemical cocktail. Plastics are made using thousands of chemicals. It’s impossible to determine if they’re safe for regular use. Even if manufacturers know which ingredients are used for their products, they’re not required to reveal this information. Over 5,000 different types of plastic are used to make different products, such as food packaging, furniture and toys. These plastics, meanwhile, are made with thousands of different chemicals. For food packaging alone, manufacturers use at least 4,000 different chemicals, making it hard to study plastics comprehensively and identify which chemicals are dangerous to human health. To narrow their search, the researchers tested items made from eight types of plastics that are used to manufacture everyday products. They exposed cell cultures to the mix of chemicals found in these plastics. The researchers found that: An alarming 60 percent of products were toxic to cells. About 40 percent induced oxidative stress, which is known to cause diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer. Thirty percent had endocrine disruptive effects, which can cause birth defects, cancers and developmental disorders in children. The researchers were stumped when it came to identifying the toxic chemicals in the plastic products. They couldn’t even name most of the chemicals in the plastics. Of the more than 1,400 substances tested, the researchers were able to identify only 260 of them. Most of the tested plastics contained toxic chemicals. For example, out of four different kinds of plastic yogurt containers studied, two were toxic to cells. In the past, plastic was mostly made from petroleum and other fossil fuels. Thankfully, more people have been looking for greener ways to produce plastic from renewable resources like plants instead of petroleum. Unfortunately, these bioplastics have the same chemical structure as other kinds of plastic. Additionally, they’re linked to similar risks. How to protect yourself from toxic plastic Being more conscious of the products you use is key to avoiding toxins in plastic. The researchers offered three suggestions to protect yourself from toxic plastic products. Reduce your plastic footprint. This includes buying fresh food or unpackaged products. You can also use products made of other materials like glass or wood. Avoid products that contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyurethane (PUR), which are both full of toxins. PVC is often used to make everyday products, such as: Apparel Food packaging Industrial pipes Kitchen items Office supplies Plastic furniture Plastic swimming pools Plastic wrap Vinyl flooring Vinyl siding When buying products, check each one for the #3 recycling code used to identify anything made with PVC. Support movements for safer products. Write to retailers and manufacturers and ask them to be transparent about what materials their products are made of. Encourage lawmakers to strictly regulate the industry and eliminate toxic plastics that can affect public health. Below are more tips that you can follow to avoid exposure to toxins in plastic: Bring refillable water bottles. Use glass or stainless steel drinking straws and say no to plastic utensils when dining out or ordering take out. Always carry reusable shopping bags or tote bags. Buy pantry staples and other dry foods at bulk bins. Purchase organic cosmetics, toiletries and cleaning products in plastic-free containers. Reduce plastic waste and avoid buying products made with toxic plastics. Learn more about plastic waste and how to reduce your plastic footprint at Pollution.news. Sources include: FastCompany.com EcoWatch.com MyPlasticFreeLife.com " My notes: Key is to JUST start. Don't wait for 'the right time'. That right time is Now. It's hard to get away from plastic totally. But single use plastic things really need to go away. And all plastic should be of the types that can easily be recycled. All plastic straw manufacturers should be put out of business. Along with plastic silverware.
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Post by ZandraJoi on Nov 25, 2020 12:06:32 GMT -5
My notes: I think of it this way- People back then lived without plastic just fine. They made do. Yes, it's a convenience but it comes at a great cost. There are other options to brown bags. Canvas bags. Even boxes. Costco, Sam's Club use boxes to carry out your stuff. Nothing says you can't use boxes at other stores. Some just put the items back in their cart & then put them in the boxes in their vehicle IF they don't feel comfortable taking the boxes in. I used to just grab a box here & there while I was shopping. & for those who think it's an inconvenience to take a bag IN, well, you have to carry a bag OUT don't ya?
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Post by Bob on Nov 30, 2020 20:15:36 GMT -5
My notes: I think of it this way- People back then lived without plastic just fine. They made do. Yes, it's a convenience but it comes at a great cost. There are other options to brown bags. Canvas bags. Even boxes. Costco, Sam's Club use boxes to carry out your stuff. Nothing says you can't use boxes at other stores. Some just put the items back in their cart & then put them in the boxes in their vehicle IF they don't feel comfortable taking the boxes in. I used to just grab a box here & there while I was shopping. & for those who think it's an inconvenience to take a bag IN, well, you have to carry a bag OUT don't ya? Yeah, there's no reason to use plastic bags at the grocery store. There are so many other options available that really aren't an inconvenience.
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