Microplastics update, the news is not good

[Island Time O25]

When I was an inquisitive teenager I recall reading about a technology being developed in Japan where they took plastic garbage and through heat treating it or some such turned it into construction bricks. And supposedly even made sample housing units with those. But the costs at the time of this process were too high compared to regular construction materials so the whole thing supposedly was shelved.

Not sure today if this was an urban legend, fake news or what not but having once talked to my friend the boat builder I got from him a confirmation that any old hull can be turned into a shiny new one by basically pulverizing it in a special furnace which currently costs a few million dollars and reusing the residue powed to make a new hulls or whatever. Does not seem like an outrageously expensive proposition given a vast number of hulls which get chopped up and go into landfills world wide. Why can't these pulverizers be strategically staggered throughout boating heavy regions and go to work ASAP? Other then initial high costs of this set up (which can be offset by various tax incentives) there seem to be only pluses.

[john61ct]

Originally Posted by mdenize

if ever there was a good reason to live an organic remote lifestyle it is this...

Unlikely to be able to escape, microplastics are already clogging the most remote corners of the Earth.

https://relay.nationalgeographic.com...laces-on-earth

Of course the dangers from other substances, pollution, radiation may be much more dangerous anyway.

The main problem with all these issues is not so much the direct harm to specific groups of humans

but the ever-increasing stresses placed on the ecosystems we rely on to sustain our survival as a species.

The reason to use e.g. organic farming is to maintain healthy soil, not for us to "eat healthier". Of course yes there is synergy there, point is we need to actively care for our Mother if we want her to care for us.

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by Island Time O25

When I was an inquisitive teenager I recall reading about a technology being developed in Japan where they took plastic garbage and through heat treating it or some such turned it into construction bricks.
... having once talked to my friend the boat builder I got from him a confirmation that any old hull can be turned into a shiny new one by basically pulverizing it in a special furnace which currently costs a few million dollars and reusing the residue powder to make a new hulls or whatever.

There are a number of ways that most plastic waste could be reused, or even just disposed-of responsibly. The main problem remains collection and handling.

[Island Time O25]

Originally Posted by Lake-Effect

There are a number of ways that most plastic waste could be reused, or even just disposed-of responsibly. The main problem remains collection and handling.

Agree. That's why there need to be real life incentives other then mere propaganda, pleadings or threats.

One way is to monetize the true costs of disposal/recycling/damage to environment into the price of plastic at retail level. Can be in the form of stiff deposits. High enough for the consumers to either bring the stuff back to collection points or not to use in the first place. It always amazes me that most plastic containers are not subjected to any deposit requirement. From engine oil/antifreeze containers down to the tiny pill bottles or individual 4oz yogurt containers.

Make the minimum deposit $1 on EVERY plastic container (more where appropriate for the stated goals) and you'll see collection and recycling skyrocket together with corresponding clean up of our streets, parks and outside in general. Plus a lot of low income or just enterpreneural people could supplement their incomes by collecting plastic containers discarded by their more careless or financially less responsible neighbors.

May be a bit painful at first but in short time we will all enjoy the results. This is one area (along with public safety, fire fighting and public health) where state action would be beneficial to no action.

[GordMay]

Microplastics cause cell death and allergic reactions in humans

Microplastic particles can cause cell death, cellular wall damage, and allergic reactions in humans - at levels ingested by people via their food, a study [1] has warned.

Researchers, led from the University of Hull, reviewed 17 previous studies on the toxicological impacts of microplastics on human cells, in a laboratory setting. The review [1] was conduced by environmental health researcher Evangelos Danopoulos of the Hull York Medical School and his colleagues.
The team then compared the levels of microplastics required to cause cellular damage with those taken in via drinking water, seafood and table salt.

The team found that the extent of the cellular damage increased with the amount of microplastics absorbed, while irregularly-shaped particles were more harmful.

More about ➥ https://www.theguardian.com/environm...-study-plastic


[1]“A rapid review and meta-regression analyses of the toxicological impacts of microplastic exposure in human cells” ~ by Evangelos Danopoulos et al
➥ https://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...2?dgcid=author

[Salty Fox]

Studies also show that it correlates directly to the rise in autism during fetal development, as well as diabetes in people of all ages because plastics interfere with hormonal regulation. California's P65 warnings detail all the toxins that are known to cause cancer and other health problems, and scientists have known it for decades. But since petroleum is the source product to produce plastics, we just keep getting more of it.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Salty Fox

Studies also show that it correlates directly to the rise in autism during fetal development ...

Preschool boys, whose mothers had higher phthalate* exposure while pregnant, were found to face a higher risk for developing certain traits associated with autism. However, that higher risk was not seen among boys whose mothers had adequate folic acid supplementation while pregnant, a new study [1] warns.

The study [1] didn't identify a heightened risk for autism, per se, among boys, but rather a "small" increase in the chance for developing certain autism-related traits by age 3 or 4. These include social impairment, repetitive behaviors and restricted interests, This elevated risk was not seen in girls.

But it appears that folic acid supplements while pregnant offer protection against this risk.

The main finding of this study is not just that phthalates are associated with more autistic traits, but mainly how adequate folic acid supplementation in pregnancy may offset these effects, and protect from potential harmful chemicals.

[1] “Gestational Exposures to Phthalates and Folic Acid, and Autistic Traits in Canadian Children” ~ by Youssef Oulhote et al

... Preschool boys whose mothers had higher phthalate exposure while pregnant were found to face a higher risk for developing certain traits associated with autism. However, that higher risk was not seen among boys whose mothers had adequate folic acid supplementation while pregnant...

➥ https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/full/10.1289/EHP5621

* Phthalates are chemicals found in many household products, including cosmetics and plastics.

[Salty Fox]

Thanks, Gord. That's just a snippet, but actually, the scholarship on how plastics impact human health go back 50 years. Styrofoam, in particular, has been a known carcinogen since 1967. Toxins are ingested when plastics that hold food or beverages are exposed to sunlight and/or heat (like a microwave or hot coffee), BUT the other improvements we have made to diet and lifestyle have helped us offset the additive effect of these environmental toxins. Folic acid is a perfect example.

Anyway, the point is that plastics are toxic, which shouldn't surprise anyone. They are made from petroleum, and petroleum is literally the ooze of dead bodies buried deep in the ground. If your whole life is shrink wrapped, then Big Oil owns you. Don't feel bad, though--about half the planet is in the same boat (so to speak).

Thanks for bringing this to our attention today.

[Frankly]

This will probably be only a drop in the bucket (ie marketing hype) but I find interesting as Suzuki has recently purchased a large plot of land on St Andrews Bay for their new US Marine Center. So far only some temporary shelters housing a couple of outboards (near one of my redfish holes) but will be interesting going fwd.


https://oceanblueproject.org/suzuki-...microplastics/


Frankly

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Salty Fox

. They are made from petroleum, and petroleum is literally the ooze of dead bodies buried deep in the ground. If your whole life is shrink wrapped, then Big Oil owns you. Don't feel bad, though--about half the planet is in the same boat (so to speak).

.

Do some more research petroleum is not from dead bodies. It is from decayed plant life .

[Salty Fox]

It's from decayed life, period. That includes vegetative bodies, animal bodies, fungal bodies, and microbial bodies. ALL OF THE DEAD THINGS COMBINED.

Pro tip: make sure you can't be corrected before opening your piehole, sailor. There are a lot of PhDs and retired scientists on this board.

[Salty Fox]

Originally Posted by Frankly

This will probably be only a drop in the bucket (ie marketing hype) but I find interesting as Suzuki has recently purchased a large plot of land on St Andrews Bay for their new US Marine Center. So far only some temporary shelters housing a couple of outboards (near one of my redfish holes) but will be interesting going fwd.


https://oceanblueproject.org/suzuki-...microplastics/


Frankly

This is great! Thanks so much for sharing this press release. It may be a drop in the bucket, but hopefully the tech can be modified and scaled for the shipping industry. It would also be nice to see other mods that remove mercury and other toxins.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Salty Fox

It's from decayed life, period. That includes vegetative bodies, animal bodies, fungal bodies, and microbial bodies. ALL OF THE DEAD THINGS COMBINED.

Pro tip: make sure you can't be corrected before opening your piehole, sailor. There are a lot of PhDs and retired scientists on this board.

Piehole comments are rude.


And why would I assume that something from decayed organisms is toxic? That is an unconnected leap o reasoning, not becoming of a scientist. If could be. But it could be not. Over generalizations hurt science.


As humans we are not low-impact. On that, it is easy to agree.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Salty Fox

It's from decayed life, period. That includes vegetative bodies, animal bodies, fungal bodies, and microbial bodies. ALL OF THE DEAD THINGS COMBINED.

Pro tip: make sure you can't be corrected before opening your piehole, sailor. There are a lot of PhDs and retired scientists on this board.

Try again and try to be more polite it helps .
Petroleum, also called crude oil, is a fossil fuel. Like coal and natural gas, petroleum was formed from the remains of ancient marine organisms, such as plants, algae, and bacteria.

BTW coal is from ancient trees before the fungi mutated so as to decay the wood fibers approx 300 million years ago.

And yes several PhDs in various fields

[GordMay]

When a container ship caught fire, and sank, in the Indian Ocean, in May, Sri Lanka was concerned about the spill of hazardous chemicals and fuels onboard.

However, the U.N. says [1] the most “significant” harm to the environment came from the spillage of 87 containers of nurdles, or lentil-size plastic pellets. Nurdles often are mistaken for food by seabirds, fish, and other wildlife.

[1] “X-PRESS PEARL MARITIME DISASTER SRI LANKA:
REPORT OF THE UN ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY MISSION
➥ https://postconflict.unep.ch/Sri%20L....07.2021_s.pdf

More about:
Shipping Accident Highlights Devastating Impact of “Nurdles” on Marine Life
After the largest plastic spill in history, Sri Lanka is calling for the International Maritime Organization to classify plastic "nurdles," which are harmful to marine life, as dangerous goods.
➥ https://www.fieldandstream.com/conse...urdle-effects/