If you thought that the aesthetic issues and the impact on marine life were the only problems associated with the plastic waste that winds up in the ocean, think again. When plastics are exposed to the rain, sun and other environmental
conditions they begin to decompose. Polystyrene, for example, starts
decomposing within a year. Sounds good, right? Not so much. A recent study from Nihon University in Japan found that the potentially toxic chemicals BPA and PS oligomer are released into the water as plastic decomposes.
The lead research, Katsuhiko Saldo, says that about 150,000 tons of plastic debris wind up on the shores of Japan each year. Now add to that all of the other shores as well as the Texas-sized Great Pacific Garbage Patch found between California and Hawaii that's largely made up of plastic waste.
The chemicals in question spell trouble because they're hormone disruptors and can have a big impact on reproductive systems. Even low-level BPA exposure could have adverse health effects according to some studies. And while when sea animals eat plastics, the trash won't decompose inside their bellies, some of the same toxic substances could be absorbed, resulting in adverse side effects.
The volume of plastics in the ocean is always increasing, so the decomposing issue isn't going to go away anytime soon. If we all do our part recycling plastics and choosing tap water instead of drinking from plastic water bottles, we may be able to instigate change for the future.
The lead research, Katsuhiko Saldo, says that about 150,000 tons of plastic debris wind up on the shores of Japan each year. Now add to that all of the other shores as well as the Texas-sized Great Pacific Garbage Patch found between California and Hawaii that's largely made up of plastic waste.
The chemicals in question spell trouble because they're hormone disruptors and can have a big impact on reproductive systems. Even low-level BPA exposure could have adverse health effects according to some studies. And while when sea animals eat plastics, the trash won't decompose inside their bellies, some of the same toxic substances could be absorbed, resulting in adverse side effects.
The volume of plastics in the ocean is always increasing, so the decomposing issue isn't going to go away anytime soon. If we all do our part recycling plastics and choosing tap water instead of drinking from plastic water bottles, we may be able to instigate change for the future.
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