Top related persons:
Top related locs:
Top related orgs:

Search resuls for: "microplastics"


25 mentions found


It's an urgent question — what do we do with the 40 million tons of plastic waste we produce annually? One year of plastic waste is roughly enough to smother the entirety of Manhattan a meter deep, and it has to go somewhere. For decades, America sent its plastic waste to countries like China and Indonesia. Unlike aluminum or glass, the plastic that can be recycled rarely results in replacing one recycled water bottle with another. By downcycling a tiny portion of plastic waste, companies can genuinely reuse a relatively small share of plastic, while convincing consumers that the industry has created a circular economy of infinitely recycled plastic.
Persons: Kartik Byma, they're, Tim Miller, Susan Freinkel, Nestlé, Lea Suzuki, Larry Thomas, what's, Taylor Dorrell, Biden, that's, Taylor, Miller, Kelley Sayre, Vicky Abou, it's, Mike Bloomberg, Bloomberg, Espen Barth Eide, Norway's, Abou, It's Organizations: Getty, America, Chevron, Exxon, Paper Stock, Plastics Industry Association, Organization for Economic Co, San Francisco, NPR, International Energy Agency, ExxonMobil, Alterra Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Royal Paper Stock, Akron, Buckeye Environmental, Business, Eastman Chemical Co, American Chemistry Council, New, Beyond Plastics, UN, Buckeye Environmental Network Locations: America, Manhattan, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, AFP, Ohio, American, San Francisco, Akron, Taylor Dorrell Akron , Ohio, United States, Oregon, New York City
Breaded shrimp contained the most tiny plastics by far, at well over an average of 300 microplastic pieces per serving. Plastics are everywhereThere are a staggering number of plastics in the world, today, according to a recent analysis — 16,000 plastic chemicals, with at least 4,200 of those considered to be “highly hazardous” to human health and the environment. (The authors declined to mention which brands of bottled water they studied.) Prior research using older technology had identified only about 300 nanoplastics in bottled water, along with bigger microplastics. · If you can, eat as much fresh food as possible, and limit purchase of processed and ultraprocessed foods wrapped in plastic.
Persons: CNN —, can’t, Rice, Let’s, it’s, ” Sherri “ Sam ” Mason, ” Mason, , pollock, Mason, don’t, Organizations: CNN, McGill University in, University of Queensland, Penn State, International, Water Association, Environmental Research, Environmental Locations: McGill University in Quebec, Canada, Erie , Pennsylvania, United States
London CNN —Microplastics have been found in historic soil samples for the first time, according to a new study, potentially upending the way archaeological remains are preserved. In total, the study identified 16 different microplastic polymer types in contemporary and archived soil samples, the statement adds. While preserving archaeological remains in situ has been the favored approach in recent years, the new findings could trigger a change in approach, as microplastic contamination could compromise the remains’ scientific value. “The presence of microplastics can and will change the chemistry of the soil, potentially introducing elements which will cause the organic remains to decay. If that is the case, preserving archaeology in situ may no longer be appropriate.”The study was published in Science of the Total Environment.
Persons: London CNN —, ” John Schofield, ” David Jennings, , , Organizations: London CNN, University of York, University of York’s Department of Archaeology, York, Environment Locations: London, United Kingdom, Coppergate, York
Microplastics Are a Big Problem, a New Film Warns
  + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Andrew Jacobs | ) www.nytimes.com   time to read: 1 min
It’s been more than five decades since Dustin Hoffman’s character in “The Graduate” was offered a kernel of wisdom about the path to prosperity. “Plastics,” he’s told by Mr. McGuire, the starched corporate executive who offers the advice. “There’s a great future in plastics.”Plastics have indeed been a game changer for humanity, and the enormous range of cheap, durable plastic goods, from food containers and PVC pipes to polyester clothing and single-use medical products, have inarguably improved life. The problem, as nearly everyone knows, is that plastics are forever and very little of it has been recycled. The U.N. has estimated that most of the 400 million metric tons churned out annually — a doubling of production since 2000 — will remain on Earth in some form as they are broken down into teeny specks by sunlight, wind and the sea.
Persons: It’s, Dustin Hoffman’s, ” he’s, McGuire, “ There’s Organizations: “ Plastics, , ” Plastics
People with microplastics in their plaque were more likely to have a heart attack or stroke. This is the first time microplastics have been linked to health problems in humans. AdvertisementPeople who had microplastics in their blood vessels in a study were more likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or die earlier than those who didn't. Younger men were more likely to have microplastics in their plaqueIt's important to note that the findings don't prove that microplastics cause heart attacks and strokes but rather suggest a link between the two. This might suggest that microplastics in the bloodstream exacerbate inflammation, which increases the risk of heart attacks and stroke, study author Francesco Prattichizzo told New Scientist.
Persons: Microplastics, , Raffaele Marfella, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Marfella, Francesco Prattichizzo, Vahitha Abdul Salam, Abdul Salam Organizations: microplastics, Service, New England, of Medicine, University of Campania, New, Queen Mary University of London Locations: microplastics, Mount Everest, Naples, Italy
“Should exposure to microplastics and nanoplastics be considered a cardiovascular risk factor? Nanoplastics have been found in human blood, lung and liver tissues, urine and feces, mother’s milk, and the placenta. The examination found “visible, jagged-edged foreign particles” scattered in the plaque and external debris from the surgery, the study said. Presence of microplastics and nanoplastics, and subsequent inflammation, may act to increase one’s susceptibility to these chronic diseases,” Stapleton said in an email. However, calling the study results “a direct link to cardiovascular disease is a stretch for the findings,” she added.
Persons: , Raffaele Marfella, Marfella, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Philip Landrigan, ” Landrigan, nanoplastics, Landrigan, Mary Conlon, , that’s, Andrew Freeman, Phoebe Stapleton, Rutgers University’s Ernest Mario, , ” Stapleton, Leonardo Trasande, don’t, Trasande Organizations: CNN, New England, of Medicine, University of Campania, Boston College, Program, Global Public Health, Global, Planetary Health, International, Water Association, Surgeons, Jewish Health, Rutgers, Rutgers University’s Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Getty, American Academy of Pediatrics, NYU Langone Health, Natural Resources Defense Council, Invest Locations: Naples, Italy, Denver, Piscataway , New Jersey
The folks at Riverbed Ranch have answered these questions decisively, embracing a radical turn toward self-reliance and small-scale sustainability. He founded Riverbed Ranch after losing power during a winter storm. Gleason's wife, Colleen, said of Riverbed residents in a 2021 TV interview : "Most of them tend to be prepper types." AdvertisementGleason envisions Riverbed Ranch as a safe environment for families: "This is about the kids." "The American idea that we're going to go on forever is naive at best," Fisher told me.
Persons: Jesse Fisher's, Fisher, Philip Gleason, they'd, Gleason, Jesse Fisher, of Jesus Christ, Elon, Blonquist Gleason, " Gleason, Colleen, bristled, Priscilla Hart, Hart, you've, Sarah Vezzani, , Vezzani, Lance Pope, Brittany Organizations: Apple Watch, of Jesus, dodgers, Fox News, Pew Research, Rockies Locations: Utah, Ukraine, Gaza, Idaho, Ogden , Utah, Ogden, Nebraska, America, Arizona, Santaquin , Utah
About 10 to 100 times more nanoplastics than microplastics were discovered in bottled water, the study found. AdvertisementScientists said they're cutting back on bottled waterThe inside of an optical box reveals the components that organize the light from laser beams to identify nanoplastics, microscopic plastic pieces. Related storiesAll four co-authors interviewed said they were cutting back on their bottled water use after they conduced the study. Wei Min, the Columbia physical chemist who pioneered the dual laser microscope technology, said he has reduced his bottled water use by half. Previous studies looking for microplastics and some early tests indicate there may be less nanoplastic in tap water than bottled.
Persons: Naixin Qian, Mary Conlon, , Qian, Phoebe Stapleton, microplastics, Wei Min, Stapleton, Beizhan Yan, there's, Jason Somarelli, Somarelli, Zoie Diana, Diana, Min, Yan, Kara Lavender, Denise Hardesty, Louis Organizations: Service, Business, Columbia, Rutgers, National Academy of Sciences, micron, WalMart, Water Association, American Chemistry Council, United Nations Environment, Duke University, University of Toronto, Kara Lavender Law, Sea Education Association Locations: Columbia, New Jersey, Australian, Boston, St, Los Angeles
Using fruit peel, orange seeds and coffee ground waste collected from businesses in Italy, Krill products can be redistributed to the same businesses for use in their offices, instead of furniture made from common plastics. “After three or four years, you have to change your furniture [anyway],” says Marco Di Maio, director of operations at Krill. “But if all that furniture was made using our materials, we would be able to recover them, crush them and print other furniture with the same material. First, the food waste is dried and crushed into a very fine powder. It’s also looking to develop injection molding — injecting the molten compound of food waste and PHB into a mold instead of 3D-printing — which could cut costs and save time.
Persons: , , Marco Di Maio, Di Maio, won’t, Rekrill, we’ve, ” Di Maio, San, Iles, Ellen MacArthur, bioplastics, ” Iles, It’s Organizations: CNN, Circle Economy Foundation, bioplastics, Ellen MacArthur Foundation Locations: Milan, Italy, San Pellegrino, Sicily,
New York CNN —New York’s water and parks are full of plastic waste. PepsiCo has downplayed the risks of its plastic packaging and created a public nuisance in the state, she alleged in a lawsuit filed against the company on Wednesday. Additionally, PepsiCo has failed to properly warn the public about where its plastic packaging ends up, according to the lawsuit, making it sound like recycling will effectively deal with plastic waste. Environmental advocates activists are hopeful that the complaint could help change the way lawmakers approach plastic pollution. Generally, lawsuits surrounding plastic pollution are brought by non-profits, not government officials, she said.
Persons: litterbugs, Letitia James, It’s, James, , , Kirstie Pecci, Just, “ There’s, Judith Enck, James ’ Organizations: New, New York CNN, New York, PepsiCo, Pepsi, Research, CNN, Environmental, Beyond Plastics Locations: New York, Buffalo, City, Lake Erie, , Niagara, Vermont, York State
Microplastics may affect the weather, new study finds
  + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Mary Gilbert | ) edition.cnn.com   time to read: +4 min
Now, scientists have found that these tiny particles might even be able to influence the weather. Microplastics form when larger plastics break down, either by chemically degrading or physically wearing down into smaller pieces. The authors of Wednesday’s study found microplastics affect cloud formation, and clouds are of huge importance to the weather we experience. According to the study, microplastics can now be added to that list. Once the first water droplets cling to microplastics and other tiny particles, more water droplets are pulled together and clouds form.
Persons: CNN —, They’ve, Judith Enck, ” Enck, Microplastics, Albert Gea, microplastics Organizations: CNN, Science, Technology, Beyond Plastics Locations: China, Barcelona, Spain, Tai
“No company is too big to ensure that their products do not damage our environment and public health. All New Yorkers have a basic right to clean water, yet PepsiCo’s irresponsible packaging and marketing endanger Buffalo’s water supply, environment, and public health,” James said in a statement. PepsiCo is the single largest identifiable contributor to the plastic waste contaminating the Buffalo River, according to the lawsuit. Microplastics have also been found in fish species that are known to inhabit Lake Erie and the Buffalo River, as well as Buffalo's drinking water supply, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that the opposite is happening, and that PepsiCo misled the public about its efforts to combat plastic pollution.
Persons: Letitia James, ” James, Microplastics, , Jill Jedlicka, James Organizations: — New York, PepsiCo Inc, PepsiCo, Frito, Lay Inc, Lay, America Inc, state’s Department of Environmental, Buffalo Niagara, Gatorade, Pepsi Locations: ALBANY, N.Y, Buffalo, , Lake Erie, United States, New York
The lawsuit seeks to force Pepsi and Frito-Lay to clean up wrappers and bottles on the shores of the Buffalo River. Microplastics have been found in fish species and in Buffalo's drinking water supply, the lawsuit alleges. "No company is too big to ensure that their products do not damage our environment and public health. "We will not sit idly by as our waterways become polluted again, this time from ever-growing single-use plastic pollution." It also asks that the company take steps to prevent additional plastic pollution from entering the Buffalo River.
Persons: Letitia James, , James, Microplastics, Jill Jedlicka Organizations: NY, PepsiCo, Pepsi, Frito, Service, New, PepsiCo Inc, Lay Inc, Lay, America Inc, state's Department of Environmental, Buffalo Niagara, Gatorade Locations: Buffalo, Lake Erie, United States, New York
In a series of graphics, we take a look at some of the biggest environmental challenges facing our planet. Global wildlife populations plummeted by 69% on average between 1970 and 2018, according to WWF’s Living Planet Report 2022. Swipe to see more Forest loss Note: These figures do not include regrowth or regeneration of forest. But many are facing threats from pesticides and crop monocultures, as well as the destruction of their habitats. Swipe to see more Bird populations Source: BirdlifeDespite the scale of the challenges, there are countless groups and individuals committed to protecting our planet.
Persons: it’s Organizations: CNN, Resources Institute, Global, UN, University of Sheffield, UN Food and Agriculture Organization, British Trust for Ornithology, Birdlife Locations: California, Hawaii, India
US venture capital firm Regeneration.VC, backed by Leonardo DiCaprio, has moved a founding partner to Europe and is raising its second fund. Michael Smith, a general partner at LA-headquartered Regeneration.VC, moved his family to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in August. Smith set up Regeneration.VC in 2020 to back seed and Series A stage companies in what he dubbed "consumer climate technology." "For our first fund, we had investors and then companies in our portfolio in Europe. Around one third of Regeneration.VC's first fund has gone to European companies so far, Smith said.
Persons: Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael Smith, Smith, Regeneration.VC, Biden's Organizations: LA, Lightspeed Ventures, Economy Foundation Locations: Regeneration.VC, Europe, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Sequoia, Denmark, New York, New Zealand, California
Revo Foods is the first company to sell 3D-printed vegan salmon fillets, now available in Europe. The foodtech startup Revo Foods in September became the first company to sell 3D-printed vegan salmon filets in select grocery stores in Vienna, Austria, and opened an online shop that ships the product to most European countries this month. "It flakes very nicely into layers just like salmon," Robin Simsa, the CEO of Revo Foods, told Insider. Over the past several weeks, Simsa said Revo Foods' vegan salmon has sold out within hours of hitting store shelves. Revo Foods sells 130 grams, or about 4 ½ ounces, of its vegan salmon for 7 euros, or about $7.
Persons: Robin Simsa, Simsa, There's, Christopher Bryson, Bryson Organizations: Entrepreneurs, Service, Foods, Revo Foods, Revo, United Nations, New School Foods Locations: Europe, Vienna, Austria, Revo Foods
In particular, lawmakers want assurances that the European Commission is not planning to shelve green measures that it promised but has not yet delivered - including restrictions on harmful chemicals, microplastics pollution and animal welfare. The shake-up in Europe's green leadership comes as climate policies face mounting pushback from politicians warning of the large investments required. Some EU officials are wary of pushing through new green measures before EU Parliament elections in June. Recent EU proposals - including a landmark law to restore nature - have faced resistance from some lawmakers and governments arguing Brussels is tangling industries in red tape. But Sefcovic and Hoekstra also need backing from green and left-leaning lawmakers demanding urgent action to tackle the CO2 emissions fuelling extreme weather across Europe, and reverse the decline of nature.
Persons: Wopke Hoekstra, de, Maros Sefcovic, Pascal Canfin, Sefcovic, Canfin, Hoekstra, Robert Fico, Kate Abnett, Bart Meijer, Christina Fincher, Josie Kao Organizations: Ministers, REUTERS, Rights, European Commission, EU, Thomson Locations: The Hague, Netherlands, Rights BRUSSELS, Dutch, Brussels, Europe, Slovak, Ukraine, Russian Slovak
Many clothes contain synthetic fabrics that release plastic into the water when laundered. How you do your laundry may be increasing your plastic output, which can harm marine life. Some ways to avoid this include using cold water and washing your clothes less often. That's right, the simple act of washing synthetic fabrics, like polyester, acrylic, and nylon releases microplastics. AdvertisementAdvertisementLuckily, there are things you can do in the immediate to reduce how much microplastics you may be sending into the environment.
Persons: Sonali Diddi, Diddi, we'll Organizations: Service, Colorado State University Locations: Wall, Silicon
Earth is exceeding its “safe operating space for humanity” in six of nine key measurements of its health, and two of the remaining three are headed in the wrong direction, a new study said. Earth’s climate, biodiversity, land, freshwater, nutrient pollution and “novel” chemicals (human-made compounds like microplastics and nuclear waste) are all out of whack, a group of international scientists said in Wednesday’s journal Science Advances. “We are in very bad shape,” said study co-author Johan Rockstrom, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany. Water went from barely safe to the out-of-bounds category because of worsening river run-off and better measurements and understanding of the problem, Rockstrom said. Political Cartoons View All 1157 ImagesIf Earth can manage these nine factors, Earth could be relatively safe.
Persons: , Johan Rockstrom, , Rockstrom, it’s, , ” Rockstrom, Jonathan Overpeck, ” Overpeck, Neil Donahue, Duke’s Stuart Pimm, Granger Morgan, ” “ I’ve, ” Morgan, Seth Borenstein Organizations: Potsdam Institute, Climate, Research, Biodiversity, ” University of Michigan, Carnegie Mellon, Twitter, AP Locations: Germany, Paris
Two decades of satellite images have revealed that more than 56% of the world's oceans have seen significant changes in color. Scientists fear these color changes could be harbingers of yet another global crisis in ocean food chains as the planet warms. Greener oceans mean more life — and that's not necessarily goodThe color of the oceans can tell us a lot about their health. The ocean's color depends on what's in the upper layer of the water column. In the latest study, scientists used imagery from NASA's Aqua satellite, which has been monitoring ocean color changes for more than two decades.
Persons: It's, it's, Cael, that's, Stephanie Dutkiewicz, Dutkiewicz, I've, Michael J Behrenfeld Organizations: Service, Nature, National Oceanography Center, Guardian, MIT's Department of, Planetary Sciences, Center for Global Change Science, CNN, Oregon State University Locations: Southampton
Plastic levels in Swiss-French lake as high as world's oceans
  + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +2 min
FOUNEX, Switzerland Aug 25 (Reuters) - Lake Geneva, nestled at the foot of the Alps, has long been considered as a near-pristine body of water, but new research has found that its plastic pollution levels are as high as those in the oceans. Oceaneye, a Geneva-based non-profit that has for more than a decade been scouring the seas to collect plastic fragments, has turned its attention closer to home to landlocked Switzerland. [1/5]A boat of NGO Oceaneye collects plastic fragments in the water of Lake Leman in Founex near Geneva, Switzerland August 21, 2023. Microplastics derive from the breakdown of various consumer and industrial plastic waste over time and their concentrations are accumulating in the world's oceans. "When we began working on this 12 years ago and talked about plastic fragments in water, people took us for wackos and now it is a recognised problem."
Persons: Pascal Hagmann, Denis Balibouse, Hagmann, Cecile Mantovani, Emma Farge, Sharon Singleton Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Switzerland, Lake Geneva, Geneva, Lac Leman, Lake Leman, Founex, Leman, Europe, France, Switzerland's, Evian
Courtesy Michael A. SamwayThe Tallinn-born competitor moved to the US in 2011 and, as she tired of only competing in breaststroke, started doing triathlons and then tried open water swimming. After seeing first-hand the scale of water pollution, Liivand was determined to take on a fight tougher than any competitor. The Jamaican sprint icon recognized Liivand for her open-water swimming exploits and mermaid school but confused the two. “It was like, here we are, testing waters, but we still don’t address that open water sport is in real danger because of pollution,” she said. Marco Bello/ReutersIn a grueling 14-hour swim, at times, Liivand will have to swim against the current.
Persons: Merle Liivand, ” Liivand, Liivand, ‘ Merle, , , Michael, “ It’s, ’ ”, Mario Tama, microplastics, Usain Bolt, Marco Bello, ’ Liivand, “ I’m, I’m, Richard Branson, Liivand’s Organizations: CNN, Guinness, CNN Sport, Federal University of Rio, Rio, UNESCO, Environmental International, Records, Reuters Locations: Estonian, Biscayne Bay , Miami, California, Florida, Tallinn, Guanabara Bay, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Leblon, Jamaica, Biscayne, Los Angeles, Miami, Paris ’
A fake campaign by environmental activists said Barbie-maker Mattel would go plastic-free by 2030. Outlets like People, The Washington Times , and Dow Jones Newswires reported that Mattel, the maker of Barbie and other toys like American Girl dolls and Hot Wheels, would go plastic-free by 2030. "With our plastic-free commitment, we denounce the empty promises of plastic recycling and take a bold step towards real ecological sustainability. By the end of the day, Yahoo News had the exclusive on the team behind the stunt : The Barbie Liberation Organization. The stunt did make me envision what seaweed Barbie would look like — but it's unclear if that's possible.
Persons: Barbie, I've, that'd, Dow Jones Newswires, Greta Thunberg, Daryl Hannah, Instagram, Hannah, Hannah didn't, Ynon Kreiz, Mattel, Igor Vamos, Mike Bonnaro, Vamos, Adam McKay Organizations: Mattel, Service, The Washington Times, Yahoo News, Liberation Organization, Barbie Liberation Organization, Dot Studios Locations: Russian
The three types were glutinous rice, medium grain rice and jasmine rice. In this study, glutinous rice was the stickiest, while medium grain rice and jasmine rice were less sticky, and also harder as tested in the laboratory. Washing rice will have no effect on the bacterial content of the cooked rice, as high cooking temperatures will kill all bacteria present. What is more concerning is how long you store cooked rice or washed rice at room temperature. If wet rice or cooked rice is kept at room temperature, this can activate the bacterial spores and they begin to grow.
Persons: Rice, It’s, Evangeline Mantzioris Organizations: CNN, dolmades, World Health Organization, Nutrition, Food Sciences, University of South Locations: Asia, Africa, Greece, risottos, Italy, paella, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, University of South Australia
But Michelin, Continental and Pirelli (PIRC.MI) told Reuters they are pursuing alternatives to 6PPD, with Michelin and Continental adding collective industry action may be necessary to find solutions. Continental said its dandelion tyres were developed to find a sustainable form of natural rubber, and addressing 6PPD was a separate focus. The worst-performing rival tyres Michelin has tested so far emit around 8 kg per year. Michelin and Continental said they are already focused on making their tyres more durable - Michelin cut its tyre emissions 5% between 2015 and 2020, Roget said. "The advent of the EV is the time to make this change," to improve tyres," Enso's Erlendsson said.
Total: 25