A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
To End Plastic Pollution and to recognize World Water Day, let’s take a look at how microplastic pollution gets into our drinking water supply. Here are some facts for you to consider:
PLASTIC POLLUTION FACT: Microplastics (extremely small pieces of plastic) are present in almost all water systems in the world—streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans.
PLASTIC POLLUTION FACT: 83% of the samples of tap water tested from major metropolitan areas around the world were contaminated with plastic fibers. In another study, 93% of water samples from major bottled water suppliers from around the world showed signs of microplastic contamination, including polypropylene, nylon, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
The ways microplastics enter our water supply are surprising. Microplastics emanate from clothing, cosmetics, car tires, and paint chips, among other sources. They’re also created from all plastic items as they erode into smaller and smaller pieces.
You might think that water purification systems run by cities and companies remove these microplastics, but you would be wrong. Plastic fibers are so tiny that they seem to be able to pass through the filtering systems used to purify the water from streams or rivers that goes into our homes and water bottles. They are also small enough to be easily transported by the wind.
Since we seem to be drinking water contaminated with microplastics, what impact does this have on our health? We know that plastics contain chemicals added during the manufacturing process and that plastics absorb other toxins from the water. We know that those chemicals, when consumed by humans, have been associated with some health issues.
You’ll be surprised to learn the ways plastic in drinking water can potentially harm the people who drink it!
This year, as every year, Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd. Earthday’s 2018 theme is “End Plastic Pollution”.
Every step you take in reducing the use of plastic is a step taken to ensure our planet is still ‘our planet for the next seven generations’.
Use the resources found at http://www.earthday.org and join the fight to “End Plastic Pollution”
Step One: LEARN
• Download your “Plastic Pollution Primer and Action Primer” found at http://www.earthday.org to learn more about this problem and act to help End Plastic Pollution.
• This toolkit includes information about plastic pollution, a Plastic Pollution Footprint Calculator, a tool to create your Personal Plastics Plan and to track your progress.
Step Two: ACT
• Check out the “Plastic Pollution Footprint Calculator and Personal Plastic Plan” found on the website to calculate your plastic consumption.
• Create your Personal Plastic Plan and track your progress.
• Share photos and stories about what you’re doing personally to End Plastics Pollution–on Earth Day and all year round!
• Tell others about the End Plastic Pollution Campaign.
• Tag your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram posts with #EarthDay2018 #EndPlasticPollution #lessplastic #plasticless
• Follow Earthday on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to receive updates and sign up for their newsletter.
Step Three: ENGAGE
• Get more information on how to organize events to End Plastic Pollution.
Register your Earth Day Activity today, and “get on the map” to find other Earth Day activities in your area.
• Tell others about the End Plastic Pollution Campaign.
• Tag your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram posts with #EarthDay2018 #EndPlasticPollution #lessplastic #plasticless
• Follow Earthday on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to receive updates.
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