Dive Brief:
- NY/NJ Baykeeper, a non-profit dedicated to protecting waterways in New York and New Jersey, launched a micro-plastic study to determine the effects of plastic waste on living organisms.
- The organization partnered with multiple institutions to collect water samples on-site that were then transferred to a lab for analysis.
- The purpose of the research is to assess the extent that micro-plastic waste alters the waterways for the fish that ingest it, and any adverse health effects the plastics cause in humans.
Dive Insight:
Plastic beads are found in consumer products such as body and facial scrubs, and toothpaste. Plastic microbeads are minuscule, and pass through filters at waste water treatment plants, and enter into waterways. The plastic waste then serves as a sponge for pollutants. Fish eat the plastic and people ingest the waste when consuming fish.
In March 2015, Governor Christie signed a bill into law that seeks to eliminate non biodegradable plastic microbeads from personal care products. NY/NJ Baykeeper says the bill includes polyethylene and polypropylene plastic microbeads, but excludes bioplastics which allows the personal care industry to substitute one harmful plastic for another.
