Topic: Plastic particles from clothing end up in seas ....

[Pandora]

Scientists have found an unexpected source for the rising load of tiny plastic bits in the oceans: Washing machines.

Doom doomdoomdoom doooooooooooooom!

When you wash fleece jackets, polypro running shirts and other synthetic fabrics, a new study found, miniscule threads of plastic seep through filters and escape into the environment. Marine microplastics can penetrate the cells of even the tiniest organisms, raising all sorts of health concerns for both sea creatures and the people that eat them.

And while washing machines are far from the only source of tiny plastic pieces in the oceans, the study suggests that there might be a need for a new generation of clothing made from natural fibers or synthetic versions that hold together for a longer time, said Mark Browne, an ecologist at University College Dublin.

For now, textile companies are not required to test their products for durability or plastic-shedding potential.

“We’ve been contacting industry representatives to try to find out that information so that consumers can make a choice, but no one has come forward and I find that disheartening,” said Browne, lead author of the new study.

“Consumers have the power when they go into a store to ask whether clothing has been tested for its impact on the environment,” he added. “If more and more consumers started doing that, it would then put pressure on the people who actually produce clothes to do something about it.”

 

B-b-b-but I thought recycling plastic into fabric was a good and holy thing to do for Mother Gaia!

[AlanS]

.....miniscule threads of plastic seep through filters and escape into the environment. Marine microplastics can penetrate the cells of even the tiniest organisms, raising all sorts of health concerns for both sea creatures and the people that eat them.

Since I live on the Gulf Coast and eat quite a bit of seafood, I guess I'll die between the oil contamination and the plastic. Then again, I can eat healthy and I'll still die.

“We’ve been contacting industry representatives to try to find out that information so that consumers can make a choice, but no one has come forward and I find that disheartening,” said Browne, lead author of the new study.
 

'Cause no one with half a brain really give a sh!t about "your" problem.

[Predator Don]

Well, guess I'll just go nekked.

[Janny]

Marine microplastics can penetrate the cells of even the tiniest organisms, raising all sorts of health concerns for both sea creatures and the people that eat them.

Am I the only one who thinks this is very likely a blatant lie?

And what waste water is pumped directly into the ocean!?

[LadyVirginia]

Marine microplastics can penetrate the cells of even the tiniest organisms, raising all sorts of health concerns for both sea creatures and the people that eat them.

Am I the only one who thinks this is very likely a blatant lie?
And what waste water is pumped directly into the ocean!?

I'm suspicious.  I think there is probably nothing to back this up.

In the mean time, let's shoot up our kids with an anthrax vaccine.

[charlesoakwood]

There are some spots on the CA coast where swimmers are posted
because of the effluent being expelled into the ocean.

[Glock32]

There are some spots on the CA coast where swimmers are posted
because of the effluent being expelled into the ocean.

Isn't that mostly coming from Mexico? I recall a few years ago reading about how the US taxpayers were footing the bill for a new wastewater treatment plant in Tijuana to alleviate this.

[Damn_Lucky]

.....miniscule threads of plastic seep through filters and escape into the environment. Marine microplastics can penetrate the cells of even the tiniest organisms, raising all sorts of health concerns for both sea creatures and the people that eat them.

Since I live on the Gulf Coast and eat quite a bit of seafood, I guess I'll die between the oil contamination and the plastic. Then again, I can eat healthy and I'll still die.

“We’ve been contacting industry representatives to try to find out that information so that consumers can make a choice, but no one has come forward and I find that disheartening,” said Browne, lead author of the new study.
 

I would Kill for about 20lb.s of Bluecrab and Crawfish with extra plastic right now. I'm to far north to enjoy it now.
'Cause no one with half a brain really give a sh!t about "your" problem.

[charlesoakwood]

It's too late for soft shells.

[AlanS]

It's too late for soft shells.

But the Blue Points are full.

[Libertas]

Wow, guess they don't want to know about the stuff ships toss over wiht regularity.

 

[Sectionhand]

" Consumers have the power when they go into a store to ask whether clothing has been tested for its impact on the environment ..."

I never gave a sh*t about my clothing's impact on the environment ... and still don't ! The only "impact" I care about is it's "impact" on me ... That's why I never bought a Nehru Jacket or a Leisure Suit . As far as synthetics go ... I've always preferred cotton and wool but that was an aesthetic consideration only .