Tag

Plastic Pollution

All articles tagged with #plastic pollution

environment29 days ago•14 min saved

Hard-to-die plastic: PET bottles linger for centuries and seed microplastics globally

A PET water bottle takes about 450 years to decompose; since the 1970s essentially every bottle produced remains somewhere on Earth, gradually fragmenting into microplastics that are now found from Arctic ice to deep Mariana Trench sediments, while global plastic production continues and most of it remains unrecycled, ensuring centuries of pollution as plastics persist and disperse through air, water, and soils.

via Space Daily|

#decomposition-timeline #environment #global-dispersal

environment1 month ago•50 min saved

Maryland researchers near breakthrough in biodegradable packaging to curb plastic pollution

A University of Maryland research team says it is nearing a breakthrough to tackle plastic pollution by developing cost-effective biodegradable packaging using AI and biomolecular techniques drawn from shrimp and crab shells, with the aim of replacing plastic bags, wraps, water bottles, and other food-packaging materials.

via WJLA|

#ai-tech #biodegradable-packaging #environment

environment5 months ago•6 min saved

San Diego rail nurdle settlement tightens transport rules for plastic pellets

A settlement over nurdle spills along San Diego-area rail lines leads BNSF Railway, the Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation, San Diego Coastkeeper, and the North County Transit District to adopt nationwide policies requiring sealed plastic-pellet rail cars, penalties for non-compliance, and a donation to local cleanup efforts, in an effort to curb plastic-pellet pollution.

via San Diego Union-Tribune|

#bnsf #coastal-environmental-rights-foundation #environment

health5 months ago•36 min saved

Global plastics boom linked to rising health burden, study warns

A Lancet Planetary Health analysis estimates plastic pollution caused about 2.1 million global disability-adjusted life years in 2016 and could rise to roughly 4.5 million by 2040. Health harms come primarily from upstream plastic production and associated pollution rather than waste alone. The study argues for a cradle-to-grave, system-wide shift—reducing primary production while improving reuse and waste management—and urges stronger government action and industry transparency to curb the plastics health crisis.

via yahoo.com|

#health #lancet-planetary-health #plastic-pollution

environment5 months ago•6 min saved

Heat Boosts Microplastic Shedding from Takeaway Coffee Cups

A new study shows heat is the main driver of microplastic release from takeaway cups: all-plastic cups shed more particles than plastic-lined paper cups, and hotter beverages increase particle release. The researchers found a 300 mL daily hot coffee in polyethylene could lead to about 363,000 microplastics ingested annually. While long‑term health effects remain uncertain, the findings suggest using reusable cups or cooler drinks to reduce exposure, and avoiding pouring boiling liquids into plastic-lined containers.

via ScienceAlert|

#coffee-cups #consumer-health #environment

health6 months ago•2 min saved

Health Risks of Bottled Water: Why You Should Stop Drinking It

A recent study highlights the health risks of drinking bottled water, revealing that individuals who consume it daily ingest nearly 90,000 microplastic particles annually, which may contribute to inflammation, cell damage, and increased cancer risk, emphasizing the importance of switching to reusable water bottles for health and environmental reasons.

via LADbible|

#bottled-water #environment #health

environment6 months ago•3 min saved

Innovative 'Fish Mouth' Filter Eliminates Most Microplastics from Laundry

Scientists in Germany have developed a fish-inspired filter that removes 99% of microplastics from laundry wastewater, aiming to reduce plastic pollution entering waterways and the environment, with potential to mitigate health risks associated with microplastics.

via ScienceAlert|

#environment #fish-inspired-filter #laundry-pollution

environment6 months ago•3 min saved

Daily Bottled Water Drinkers Ingest 90,000 More Microplastic Particles Annually

Research shows that people who drink bottled water daily ingest nearly 90,000 more microplastic particles annually, raising concerns about long-term health effects and highlighting the need for better regulation and sustainable water solutions.

via WIRED|

#bottled-water #environment #microplastics

health6 months ago•5 min saved

Testing Reveals Microplastics in Bottled Water, Prompts Change in Drinking Habits

A woman undergoes at-home microplastics testing revealing high levels in her blood, prompting lifestyle changes to reduce plastic exposure, while experts emphasize the need for more research on health impacts and advocate for better regulation and awareness.

via The i Paper|

#blood-testing #health #health-risks

environment7 months ago•183 min saved

Addressing Plastic Pollution: Strategies, Climate Impact, and Future Risks

The report updates on plastic pollution, highlighting that without urgent global action, plastic entering the environment will nearly double by 2040, causing severe health, environmental, and climate impacts. It emphasizes the need for transformative policies to reduce plastic production, improve waste management, and shift towards a circular economy to mitigate these risks and create economic opportunities.

via The Pew Charitable Trusts|

#climate-change #environment #global-plastic-system

environment8 months ago•3 min saved

Southern Water apologizes for major bio-bead spill at Camber Sands

Southern Water is responsible for a significant plastic pellet spill at Camber Sands, likely caused by a filter failure at their Eastbourne wastewater treatment plant, leading to extensive pollution and a large-scale cleanup effort, with authorities investigating and emphasizing the environmental impact.

via BBC|

#beach-cleanup #camber-sands #environment

health8 months ago•3 min saved

Emerging Research Links Microplastics to Neurodegenerative Diseases

A recent review suggests that microplastics may contribute to vascular dementia by damaging brain blood vessels, with new classifications of the disease highlighting overlaps with Alzheimer's and the potential role of plastic particles in brain pathology, prompting a reevaluation of dementia research and treatment approaches.

via ScienceAlert|

#brain-health #health #microplastics

environment8 months ago•2 min saved

Rescuers Work to Free Sea Lion Trapped by Plastic

Rescuers used a drone to locate a sea lion in the Salish Sea with plastic around her neck, sedated her, and successfully removed the plastic, allowing her to recover and return to her family, thanks to the coordinated efforts of multiple organizations.

via The Dodo|

#environment #plastic-pollution #rescue

health9 months ago•3 min saved

How to Reduce Microplastic Intake from Water Bottles

A recent study reveals that drinking from plastic bottles exposes individuals to significantly more microplastics—up to 90,000 additional particles annually—compared to tap water, raising health concerns and suggesting the use of reusable bottles made of stainless steel or glass as safer alternatives.

via Women's Health|

#bottled-water #health #health-risks

health9 months ago•3 min saved

Researchers Warn of New Reproductive Health Threats from Environmental and Biological Factors

New research indicates that microplastic particles are present in all examined endometrial tissues and are significantly higher in cancerous tissues, potentially disrupting metabolic pathways and contributing to the development of endometrial cancer, raising concerns about the broader impact of plastic pollution on women's reproductive health.

via yahoo.com|

#endometrial-cancer #health #microplastics