Life & Times Blog - Blog Archive - Lethal Plastics

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About the Story: Our disposal of everything plastic is killing sea birds and polluting our oceans. Scientists have found birds dead from starvation but with stomachs filled with plastic toys, bottle caps and other intact items. And tiny bits of plastic floating in the ocean mix with plankton for a toxic blend. Toni Guinyard takes a closer look at how plastics can be fatal. (TRT: 8:26)

: California Coast & Ocean’s “The Oceans’ Plastic Plague” Article; California Progress Report’s “Oceanic Microplastics Outweight Plankton: California State Hearing Tomorrow on Bold Plan Against Plastic Litter and Waste” Blog; California Resources Agency; Californians Against Waste; Commodity Ecology’s “3. Building Materials/Tool Construction” Blog; Environment California’s Support the Pacific Protection Initiative Website; Heal the Bay; L.A. Conservation Corps; Mrdeadworry’s “No More Fish and Plenty of Plastic” Blog; New Scientist Environment Blog’s “World’s Tallest Man Saves Dolphins” Article; ORV Alguita, Inc.’s “A Brief Analysis of Organic Pollutants Sorbed to Pre- and Post-Production Plastic Particles From the Los Angeles and San Gabriel River Watersheds” Study; Plastic Debris Rivers to Sea; PlasticsNews.com; ScienceDaily’s “‘Microplastics’ May Pose Previously Unrecognized Pollution Threat” Article; Tags: Animals, Environment, Science & Technology, Water

Lethal Plastics–Visible and Invisible

Publish date: December 11, 2007
Last updated: May 2, 2009

Reporter's NOTES

Toni Guinyard
Research biologists are busy exploring the environmental impact of tiny pieces of plastic that get washed out to sea. The statistics grab your attention.

But in the world of science, data is routinely challenged. A group of local researchers is trying to find funding to continue their work in studying the amount of plastic in the ocean.

The search for answers takes money. There is one thing that all of us can do that won’t break the bank.

The nonprofit environmental group Heal the Bay is promoting December 20, 2007, as “A Day without a Bag.” They’re asking consumers to give up using disposable bags for a full 24 hours.

They say that L.A. County residents use six billion plastic bags each year—yet only recycle a fraction of it. Perhaps going without a throwaway bag for one day will make a difference.

COMMUNITY VIEWPOINTS

12.12.2007 | 10:42 am
The thing about shows like this is that they should inspire us all to act and CHANGE the impact we each have on the environment around us. One way to do this is to reduce plastic consumption (demand) and, ultimately, the generation (supply) of the sources of marine debris.

Carrying reusable bags instead of using plastic, single-use ones at grocery stores is a simple action we could all take.

In fact, there’s a “Day without a Bag” event on December 20, 2007. There’s info here:

http://www.healthebay.org/nobagday

There’s also a petition in LA County that is urging the board of supervisors to consider a ban of plastic bags at large grocery retailers: Click Here.

Great story!

nhb - Santa Monica, California

12.12.2007 | 9:22 am
As a longtime Southern California resident, I have fished the local streams for years. However, that love affair with nature ended about 10 years ago.

From Lytle Creek on the east to the San Gabriel River on the west, the debris is just horrible. Diapers, drink bottles and food are just thrown in the water.

Start your research at the source of the problem, not at the end (ocean river outlets). Thanks for letting me vent.

swedeone - Claremont, California

12.11.2007 | 11:03 pm
A short film on this subject was shown at a workshop given last February by the California Coastal Commission; it can be viewed (free) at: http://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/pendx.html
If you click on: “Free Resources for Educators,” then scroll down to: “Synthetic Sea: Plastics in the Ocean,” that’s nine minutes approximate running time, grades seven and up. An alarming look at the role that plastics are playing in our waters, specifically, the Pacific Ocean. (You can view this video online.) 2001. Request Item - “VID/SS”
After you click on: “online,” you should be at:
Click Here.
The film supports KCET’s presentation and for everyone who loves the sea and respects the wonders of nature. It may be very distressing. It does, however, provide an opportunity to “spread the word” to those who missed tonight’s Life & Times program (12/11/07).

Old Salt - Huntington Beach, California

12.11.2007 | 8:36 pm
Thank you so much for the wonderful report about plastics in the ocean and its effects on birds and fish. This is a topic that needs more attention.

I was especially happy to see Dr. Marcus. We graduated together from USC.

Barbara - Playa Del Rey, California

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