Misplaced Pages

#666333

103-610: The Shaw Institute was established as the Marine & Environmental Research Institute in 1990 by environmental health scientist, marine toxicologist, explorer, and author Susan Shaw . The institute was renamed in 2018 to accommodate the organization's global research profile with emphasis on improving human health and to reflect the 30-legacy of its founder, who is credited as the first scientist to show that brominated flame retardant chemicals used in consumer products have contaminated marine mammals and commercially important fish stocks in

206-437: A culmination of physical, biological, and photochemical degradation, including photo-oxidation caused by sunlight exposure, can reduce the structural integrity of plastic debris to a size that is eventually undetectable to the naked eye. This process of breaking down large plastic material into much smaller pieces is known as fragmentation. It is considered that microplastics might further degrade to be smaller in size, although

309-494: A global average of 0.81 kg/year. The emissions from car tires (wear reaching 100%) are substantially higher than those of other sources of microplastics, e.g., airplane tires (2%), artificial turf (wear 12–50%), brakes (wear 8%), and road markings (wear 5%). In the case of road markings, recent field study indicated that they were protected by a layer of glass beads and their contribution was only between 0.1 and 4.3 g/person/year, which would constitute approximately 0.7% of all of

412-496: A harbor adjacent to a plastic production facility, the concentration was 102,000 per m . Many industrial sites in which convenient raw plastics are frequently used are located near bodies of water. If spilled during production, these materials may enter the surrounding environment, polluting waterways. "More recently, Operation Cleansweep, a joint initiative of the American Chemistry Council and Society of

515-480: A key role in protecting cells from oxidative damage. Plastics are extensively used in the construction and renovation industry. Materials containing polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate , polypropylene , and acrylic, can degrade overtime releasing microplastics. During the construction process single use plastic containers and wrappers are discarded adding to plastic waste. These plastics are difficult to recycle and end up in landfills where they break down over

618-540: A large body of data on a wide range of persistent organic pollutants , including flame retardants , in marine mammals and fish that has placed the region in a global perspective. This work has shown that levels of toxic chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in northwest Atlantic harbor seals are among the highest in the world. In 2007, Shaw was credited as the first scientist to show that brominated flame retardant chemicals used in household and consumer products have contaminated marine mammals and fish in

721-519: A large body of scientific evidence of the negative health effects, including cancer, that are associated with exposure to halogenated flame retardants in consumer products. The paper had national policy implications, laying the groundwork for the San Antonio Statement, which cited the need for regulatory action on halogenated flame retardant chemicals worldwide. It was signed by more than 300 scientists from 30 countries. Shaw's paper and

824-626: A long period of time causing potential leaching into the soil and the release of airborne microplastics. Airborne microplastic dust is produced during renovation , “building, bridge and road reconstruction projects” and the use of power tools . Due to the environmental impact from plastic waste creation in the construction and renovation sectors waste management practices that address this issue are required. Recycled plastic material can help reduce plastic waste by incorporating it into construction projects. Some companies have replaced natural exfoliating ingredients with microplastics, usually in

927-569: A main component. This contributes to the 80 metric tons of microbead discharge per year by the United Kingdom alone, which not only has a negative impact upon the wildlife and food chain, but also upon levels of toxicity, as microbeads have been proven to absorb dangerous chemicals such as pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons . The restriction proposal by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and reports by

1030-789: A person's chances of cancer. Countries like New Zealand which have banned microbeads often pass over other polymers such as acrylate copolymers, which can be just as toxic to people and the environment. After the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 , the use of microbeads in toothpaste and other rinse-off cosmetic products has been discontinued in the US, however since 2015 many industries have instead shifted toward using FDA -approved "rinse-off" metallized-plastic glitter as their primary abrasive agent . Recreational and commercial fishing , marine vessels , and marine industries are all sources of plastic that can directly enter

1133-489: A second-place finish at the 2012 Federation Petanque USA Women's World Qualifier. They moved back to New York City, where Shaw died on January 27, 2022, at the age of 78. Microplastics Microplastics are fragments of any type of plastic less than 5 mm (0.20 in) in length, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the European Chemicals Agency . They cause pollution by entering natural ecosystems from

SECTION 10

#1732793217667

1236-592: A studied freshwater ecosystem was recorded in the Rhine river at 4000 MP particles kg . A substantial portion of microplastics are expected to end up in the world's soil , yet very little research has been conducted on microplastics in soil outside of aquatic environments. In wetland environments microplastic concentrations have been found to exhibit a negative correlation with vegetation cover and stem density. There exists some speculation that fibrous secondary microplastics from washing machines could end up in soil through

1339-456: A study from the UK, samples taken from sewage sludge disposal sites on the coasts of six continents contained an average one particle of microplastic per liter. A significant amount of these particles was of clothing fibers from washing machine effluent. Wear and tear from tires significantly contributes to the flow of (micro-)plastics into the environment. Estimates of emissions of microplastics to

1442-508: A thin plastic film inside, release trillions of microplastic- nanoparticles per liter into water during normal use. Single-use plastic products enter aquatic environments and "[l]ocal and statewide policies that reduce single-use plastics were identified as effective legislative actions that communities can take to address plastic pollution". A recent study investigated the release of microplastics from polythene bags and paper cups when exposed to hot and cold water. The study aimed to assess

1545-572: A variety of sources, including cosmetics , clothing , food packaging , and industrial processes. The term microplastics is used to differentiate from larger, non-microscopic plastic waste . Two classifications of microplastics are currently recognized. Primary microplastics include any plastic fragments or particles that are already 5.0 mm in size or less before entering the environment . These include microfibers from clothing, microbeads , plastic glitter and plastic pellets (also known as nurdles). Secondary microplastics arise from

1648-480: A very high priority high contaminant by the EPA... when they litter or put something in a landfill, the plastic will break down into smaller and smaller particles. And eventually, they become microplastics... They're in the air, they're in the water, they're in the soil."  – University of Tennessee professor Mike McKinney. Microplastic fibers enter the environment as a by-product during wear and tear and from

1751-541: Is a large incident of spillage, researchers speculate that smaller accidents also occur and further contribute to marine microplastic pollution. Airborne microplastics have been detected in the atmosphere , as well as indoors and outdoors. In 2019 a study found microplastic to be atmospherically transported to remote areas on the wind. A 2017 study found indoor airborne microfiber concentrations between 1.0 and 60.0 microfibers per cubic meter (33% of which were found to be microplastics). Another study looked at microplastic in

1854-515: Is higher with warmer liquids and similar with other polypropylene products such as lunchboxes. Unexpectedly, silicone rubber baby bottle nipples degrade over time from repeated steam sterilization, shedding micro- and nano-sized particles of silicone rubber, researchers found in 2021. They estimated that, using such heat-degraded nipples for a year, a baby will ingest more than 660,000 particles. Common single-use plastic products, such as plastic cups, or even paper coffee cups that are lined with

1957-466: Is known on adverse health effects of nanoplastics in organisms including humans. In zebrafish ( Danio rerio ), polystyrene nanoplastics can induce a stress response pathway altering glucose and cortisol levels, which is potentially tied to behavioral changes in stress phases. In Daphnia , polystyrene nanoplastic can be ingested by the freshwater cladoceran Daphnia pulex and affect its growth and reproduction as well as induce stress defense, including

2060-438: Is launched, attracting international experts in a variety of fields. That same year, the long-term Blue Hill Bay Monitoring Project, the first bay-wide health assessment of its kind, is established to produce a ten-year baseline dataset on conditions and issues of concern. In 2014, the project expands geographically to include Penobscot Bay and targets research on microplastics, invasive species, and seafood contamination. In 2012,

2163-482: Is lost, they often become contaminated with heavy metals such as cadmium , chromium , and lead . Although many companies have committed to reducing the production of microbeads , there are still many bioplastic microbeads that also have a long degradation life cycle, for example in cosmetics. Secondary microplastics are small pieces of plastic derived from the physical breakdown and mechanical degradation of larger plastic debris, both at sea and on land. Over time,

SECTION 20

#1732793217667

2266-552: Is typically neutrally buoyant and can, therefore, drift at variable depths within the oceans. Various countries have reported that microplastics from the industry and other sources have been accumulating in different types of seafood. In Indonesia, 55% of all fish species had evidence of manufactured debris similar to America which reported 67%. However, the majority of debris in Indonesia was plastic, while in North America

2369-541: The North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre has been confirmed and recent developments in Raman spectroscopy coupled with optical tweezers (Raman Tweezers) as well as nano-fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (nano- FTIR ) or atomic force infrared ( AFM-IR ) are promising answers in the near future regarding the nanoplastic quantity in the environment. Fluorescence could represent a unique tool for

2472-637: The US Department of the Interior , to assess the consequences of the oil spill and make policy recommendations to federal agencies. In September 2010, she drafted a scientific memo titled “It’s Not About Dose” on behalf of the SSWG stating there is no safe level of exposure to cancer-causing hydrocarbons in oil. The memo warned that the use of Corexit dispersants, in combination with crude oil , would result in long-term damage to wildlife and human health in

2575-987: The University of Texas in 1967 with a major in Plan II , an interdisciplinary honors program modeled after the Harvard Society of Fellows Program. She was selected for the UT-Chilean Exchange Program in 1964, and spent a year in Chile as a Fulbright Scholar . Shaw earned two degrees from Columbia University : an MFA degree in Film in 1970, and a doctorate in Public Health/Environmental Health Sciences ( Dr.P.H. ) in 1999. In 1980, Ansel Adams commissioned her to write Overexposure , published in 1983 as

2678-530: The University of Washington at Tacoma concluded that microplastics were a problem in the marine environment, based on their documented occurrence, the long residence times of these particles, their likely buildup in the future, and their demonstrated ingestion by marine organisms . According to a comprehensive review of scientific evidence published by the European Union 's Scientific Advice Mechanism in 2019, microplastics were present in every part of

2781-516: The degradation (breakdown) of larger plastic products through natural weathering processes after entering the environment. Such sources of secondary microplastics include water and soda bottles, fishing nets, plastic bags, microwave containers , tea bags and tire wear. Both types are recognized to persist in the environment at high levels, particularly in aquatic and marine ecosystems , where they cause water pollution . 35% of all ocean microplastics come from textiles/clothing, primarily due to

2884-542: The washing of synthetic clothing . Tires, composed partly of synthetic styrene-butadiene rubber, erode into tiny plastic and rubber particles as they are used and become dust particles. 2.0-5.0 mm plastic pellets, used to create other plastic products, enter ecosystems due to spillages and other accidents . A 2015 Norwegian Environment Agency review report about microplastics stated it would be beneficial to classify these sources as primary, as long as microplastics from these sources are added from human society since

2987-555: The "start of the pipe", and their emissions are inherently a result of human material and product use and not secondary to fragmentation in the nature Depending on the definition used, nanoplastics are less than 1 μm (i.e. 1000 nm) or less than 100 nm in size. Speculations over nanoplastics in the environment range from it being a temporary byproduct during the fragmentation of microplastics to it being an invisible environmental threat at potentially high and continuously rising concentrations. The presence of nanoplastics in

3090-546: The Arctic sea ice , but in 2009, for the first time, plastic was found in Antarctic sea ice, with 96 microplastic particles from 14 different types of polymers in an ice core sampled from east Antarctica . Relatively large particle sizes in Antarctic sea ice suggest local pollution sources. Microplastics have been widely detected in the world's aquatic environments. The first study on microplastics in freshwater ecosystems

3193-567: The Gulf region. The Shaw Institute subsequently launched Gulf EcoTox, an independent investigation into the effects of oil and chemical dispersants in the food web . Shaw predicted the decimation of deep-water coral , species known to be sensitive to the Corexit-oil mixture, and the deaths of dolphins from unavoidable inhalation of the mixture as they surfaced to breathe. Both outcomes have since occurred. She also predicted with certainty

Shaw Institute - Misplaced Pages Continue

3296-815: The Gulf” by Audubon Society Women in Conservation at the Rachel Carson Awards. She was a recipient of the 2012 Next Award from Mainebiz magazine for her work in shaping the future and the economy of Maine. On Earth Day 2019, Shaw was named one of the "Top Eco-Warrior Women in the World" by Make it Better magazine. Shaw met artist Cynthia Stroud, her future wife, in 1980 in New York City. They moved to Brooklin, Maine , where they lived for several decades. They played pétanque competitively, including

3399-520: The Institute announced plans for a long-term study of chemical exposure and cancer risk in U.S. firefighters. In 2012 Shaw launched a study into microplastics in the Gulf of Maine that influenced a nationwide ban of microbeads in cosmetics. Shaw Institute scientists led a 2018 study on the uptake and expulsion of microplastic fibers by blue mussels ( Mytilus edulis ) in the Gulf of Maine. In 2018,

3502-470: The Institute developed a study to measure microplastics in Maine seafood, which identified surprisingly large numbers of microplastic fragments in oysters and mussels. Shaw Institute also conducted analysis of microplastics in tissues of mussels, fish, and marine mammals. These numbers prompted questions about bioaccumulation in human consumers. In 2014, Shaw Institute testified in support of legislation to ban

3605-576: The Institute launched a coastal monitoring program, a lecture series, and education programs. In 2000, Shaw Institute began long-term research focused on marine sentinel species to characterize the extent of contamination of the northwest Atlantic marine ecosystem from Maine to New York , funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This work has shown that levels of toxic chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in northwest Atlantic harbor seals are among

3708-576: The Institute pioneered microplastics research in Blue Hill Bay, Maine. Alarming findings about the presence of microplastics in coastal waters prompted concern for human health (via seafood consumption). In 2013, Shaw was lead investigator of a study that tested a group of firefighters in San Francisco and found that their blood contains high levels of flame retardants and cancer-causing chemicals such as dioxins and furans , produced by

3811-615: The Marine & Environmental Research Institute (MERI) and began long-term marine sentinels research on contaminants and endocrine-disrupting effects in marine mammals that became the Institute's central focus over the next two decades. In 2000, the Institute hosted its first international conference: The Atlantic Coast Contaminant Workshop ACCW 2000, Endocrine Disruptors in the Marine Environment: Impacts on Marine Wildlife and Human Health , uniting international wildlife and human health scientists. Shortly thereafter,

3914-758: The Plastics Industry , is aiming for industries to commit to zero pellet loss during their operations". Overall, there is a significant lack of research aimed at specific industries and companies that contribute to microplastics pollution. Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic , the usage of medical face masks has sharply increased to reach approximately 89 million masks each. Single use face masks are made from polymers, such as polypropylene , polyurethane , polyacrylonitrile , polystyrene , polycarbonate , polyethylene , or polyester . The increase in production, consumption, and littering of face masks

4017-562: The ROS production and MAPK-HIF-1/NF-κB-mediated antioxidant system. Nanoplastics can also adsorb toxic chemical pollutants, such as antibiotics, which enable the selective association with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, resulting in the dissemination of nanoplastics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria by bacterivorous nematode Caenorhabditis elegans across the soil. A big portion of microplastic pollution comes from textiles, tires and city dust which account for over 80% of all microplastic in

4120-728: The School of Public Health at the State University of New York at Albany , and Founder/President of the Shaw Institute , a nonprofit scientific institution with a mission to improve human and ecological health through innovative science and strategic partnerships. Shaw is globally recognized for pioneering high-impact environmental research on ocean pollution , climate change , oil spills , and plastics that has fueled public policy over three decades. In 1983, with landscape photographer Ansel Adams , she published Overexposure ,

4223-512: The Shaw Institute partnered with the international Plastics Health Coalition in order to advance understanding of the damaging effects of microplastics in the human body and to promote plastic reduction across multiple sectors on a global scale. Shaw's final work was to draw attention to the health hazards faced by children employed as waste pickers and e-waste recyclers. Shaw was a Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow to U.S. universities and

Shaw Institute - Misplaced Pages Continue

4326-644: The US Atlantic, Baltic, and Arctic seas. In 2013, Shaw was lead investigator of a study that tested a group of firefighters in San Francisco and found that their blood contains high levels of flame retardants and cancer-causing chemicals such as dioxins and furans , produced by the burning of flame-retarded household materials. The study's findings suggested that chemical exposure during firefighting may carry higher risk for multiple cancers than previously demonstrated. Based on these findings, in 2014,

4429-602: The United Nations Environment Programme ( UNEP ) and TAUW suggest that there are more than 500 microplastic ingredients that are widely used in cosmetics and personal care products. Even when microbeads are removed from cosmetic products, there are still harmful products being sold with plastics in them. For example, acrylate copolymers cause toxic effects for waterways and animals if they are polluted. Acrylate copolymers also can emit styrene monomers when used in body products which increases

4532-725: The United States, production increased from 2.9 million pellets in 1960 to 21.7 million pellets in 1987. In 2019, plastic world production was 368 million tonnes; 51% were produced in Asia. China, the world's largest producer, created 31% of the world total. Through accidental spillage during land or sea transport, inappropriate use as packing materials , and direct outflow from processing plants, these raw materials can enter aquatic ecosystems . In an assessment of Swedish waters using an 80 μm mesh, KIMO Sweden found typical microplastic concentrations of 150–2,400 microplastics per m ; in

4635-415: The amount of microfiber fibers that need to be treated by sewage treatment facilities. These microfibers have been found to persist throughout the food chain from zooplankton to larger animals such as whales. The primary fiber that persist throughout the textile industry is polyester which is a cheap cotton alternative that can be easily manufactured. However, these types of fibers contribute greatly to

4738-539: The average human exposure. The indoor concentration was found to be 1.0–60.0 fibers/m , whereas the outdoor concentration was much lower at 0.3–1.5 fibers/m . The deposition rate indoors was 1586–11,130 fibers per day/m which accumulates to around 190-670 fibers/mg of dust. The largest concern with these concentrations is that it increases exposure to children and the elderly, which can cause adverse health effects. Plastic containers can shed microplastics and nanoparticles into foods and beverages. In one study, 93% of

4841-485: The birds had higher-brominated congeners that are not naturally found in their prey. However, the PBDE got into the birds' systems through plastic that was found in the stomachs of the birds. It is therefore not just the plastics that are being transferred through the food chain but the chemicals from the plastics as well. The manufacture of plastic products uses granules and small resin pellets as their raw material. In

4944-644: The bottled water from 11 different brands showed microplastic contamination. Per liter, researchers found an average of 325 microplastic particles. Of the tested brands, Nestlé Pure Life and Gerolsteiner bottles contained the most microplastic with 930 and 807 microplastic particles per liter (MPP/L), respectively. San Pellegrino products showed the least quantity of microplastic densities. Compared to water from taps, water from plastic bottles contained twice as much microplastic. Another study capable of detecting nanoplastics found 240,000 fragments per liter: 10% between 5 mm and 1 μm and 90% under 1 μm in diameter. Some of

5047-527: The burning of flame-retarded household materials. Based on these findings, in 2014, the Institute announced plans for a long-term study of chemical exposure and cancer risk in U.S. firefighters named the National Fire Fighter Cancer Biomarker Study, funded in part by IAFF and IAB. Starting in 2017, the Institute began a multi-year project and partnership with researchers from Sweden, Greenland and Iceland to assess

5150-409: The contamination likely comes from the process of bottling and packaging the water, and possibly from filters used to purify the water. In 2020 researchers reported that polypropylene infant feeding bottles with contemporary preparation procedures were found to cause microplastics exposure to infants ranging from 14,600 to 4,550,000 particles per capita per day in 48 regions. Microplastics release

5253-494: The converging impacts of climate change and flame retardant chemicals on marine mammals from the US Atlantic, Baltic , and Arctic seas. In 2012, Shaw Institute conducted the first microplastics study of its kind in the Gulf of Maine. Using new collection methods, they detected an average of 17 microplastic fragments per liter in local seawater samples. These high results prompted the institute to monitor input sites including stream and river mouths around Blue Hill Bay. In 2014,

SECTION 50

#1732793217667

5356-487: The damaging effects of microplastics in the human body and to promote plastic reduction on a global scale. Susan Shaw (conservationist) Susan D. Shaw (October 24, 1943 – January 27, 2022) was an American environmental health scientist, marine toxicologist , explorer, ocean conservationist , and author. A Doctor of Public Health , she was a professor in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at

5459-518: The early 1990s. Research has shown that approximately 10% of the plastic found on the beaches in Hawaii are nurdles. In one incident on 24 July 2012, 150 tonnes of nurdles and other raw plastic material spilled from a shipping vessel off the coast near Hong Kong after a major storm. This waste from the Chinese company Sinopec was reported to have piled up in large quantities on beaches. While this

5562-489: The ecosystem and the impending human health crisis in the Gulf as a result of exposure to the oil-Corexit mixture. She appeared in documentary films on the oil spill, including Animal Planet 's Black Tide: Voices of the Gulf and Green Planet's The Big Fix . The Shaw Institute's research examines the sources, fate, exposure pathways, tissue-specific bioaccumulation / biomagnification , and health effects of organic halogenated chemicals and other toxic man-made chemicals in

5665-500: The environment in Denmark are between 5,500 and 14,000 tonnes (6,100 and 15,400 tons) per year. Secondary microplastics (e.g. from car and truck tires or footwear) are more important than primary microplastics by two orders of magnitude. The formation of microplastics from the degradation of larger plastics in the environment is not accounted for in the study. The estimated per capita emission ranges from 0.23 to 4.7 kg/year, with

5768-415: The environment. Each garment in a load of laundry can shed more than 1,900 fibers of microplastics, with fleeces releasing the highest percentage of fibers, over 170% more than other garments. For an average wash load of 6 kilograms (13 lb), over 700,000 fibers could be released per wash. Washing machine manufacturers have also reviewed research into whether washing machine filters can reduce

5871-518: The environment. Microplastics could contribute up to 30% of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch polluting the world's oceans and, in many developed countries, are a bigger source of marine plastic pollution than the visible larger pieces of marine litter, according to a 2017 IUCN report. Studies have shown that many synthetic fibers , such as polyester, nylon, acrylics, and spandex , can be shed from clothing and persist in

5974-478: The environment. The organization's current work focuses on highly exposed populations, including firefighters , to indoor contaminants including flame retardants and carcinogenic combustion by-products that may relate to their elevated rates of cancer. An expert on marine pollution , Shaw led a multinational project with scientists from Sweden, Greenland and Iceland to assess the converging impacts of climate change and flame retardant chemicals on marine mammals from

6077-438: The erosion of polyester , acrylic , or nylon -based clothing, often during the washing process. However, microplastics also accumulate in the air and terrestrial ecosystems . Because plastics degrade slowly (often over hundreds to thousands of years), microplastics have a high probability of ingestion, incorporation into, and accumulation in the bodies and tissues of many organisms. The toxic chemicals that come from both

6180-399: The failure of water treatment plants to completely filter out all of the microplastic fibers. Furthermore, geophagous soil fauna, such as earthworms, mites, and collembolans could contribute to the amount of secondary microplastic present in soil by converting consumed plastic debris into microplastic via digestive processes. Further research, however, is needed. There is concrete data linking

6283-509: The first book to document the health hazards of photographic chemicals used in the darkroom . A second edition of the book was published in 1991. Shaw founded the Shaw Institute in Blue Hill, Maine in 1990 following the deaths of 20,000 harbor seals inhabiting polluted waters of northwestern Europe. This wildlife “signal” event was followed by other mass die-offs of marine mammals in polluted marine regions. Advancing understanding of

SECTION 60

#1732793217667

6386-451: The first book to document the health hazards of photographic chemicals. Shaw is credited as the first scientist to show that brominated flame retardant chemicals used in consumer products have contaminated marine mammals and commercially important fish stocks in the northwest Atlantic Ocean. She became the first scientist to dive into the Gulf of Mexico oil slick following the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion to investigate

6489-449: The first book to document the health hazards of photographic chemicals. Shaw is credited as the first scientist to show that brominated flame retardant chemicals used in consumer products have contaminated marine mammals and commercially important fish stocks in the northwest Atlantic Ocean . She became the first scientist to dive into the Gulf of Mexico oil slick following the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion to investigate

6592-764: The form of " microbeads " or "micro-exfoliates". These products are typically composed of polyethylene , a common component of plastics, but they can also be manufactured from polypropylene , polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and nylon . They are often found in face washes, hand soaps , and other personal care products; the beads are usually washed into the sewage system immediately after use. Their small size prevents them from fully being retained by preliminary treatment screens at wastewater plants, thereby allowing some to enter rivers and oceans. Wastewater treatment plants only remove an average of 95–99.9% of microbeads because of their small design. This leaves an average of 0–7 microbeads per litre being discharged. Considering that

6695-405: The full impact and significance of airborne microplastics. A growing concern regarding plastic pollution in the marine ecosystem is the use of microplastics. Microplastics are beads of plastic less than 5 millimeters wide, and they are commonly found in hand soaps, face cleansers, and other exfoliators. When these products are used, the microplastics go through the water filtration system and into

6798-437: The functioning of cells. Nanoplastics are lipophilic and models show that polyethylene nanoplastics can be incorporated into the hydrophobic core of lipid bilayers. Nanoplastics are also shown to cross the epithelial membrane of fish accumulating in various organs including the gallbladder, pancreas, and the brain. Nanoplastics are belived to cause interuptions in bone cell activities, causing improper bone formation. Little

6901-527: The global health burden of air pollution which has been projected by the World Health Organization at 3 million deaths in 2012. Pollution from tire wear and tear also enters the food chain, but further research is needed to assess human health risks. Shipping has significantly contributed to marine pollution . Some statistics indicate that in 1970, commercial shipping fleets around the world dumped over 23,000 tons of plastic waste into

7004-404: The health effects of environmental chemical exposure in marine wildlife and humans. In 2000, the Shaw Institute began its long-term research focused on marine sentinel species to characterize the extent of contamination of the northwest Atlantic marine ecosystem from Maine to New York. Funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this region-wide effort has produced

7107-641: The highest in the world. In 2002, the Institute convened the Gulf of Maine Forum: Protecting Our Coastal and Offshore Waters in Blue Hill in conjunction with the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment, representing New England states and Canadian provinces. A year later, the Shaw Institute begins its student internships program for scientific research and monitoring. In 2004, the Ocean Environment Lecture Series

7210-475: The human health crisis in the Gulf today, stating that a scientific review found that “five of the Corexit ingredients are linked to cancer, 33 are associated with skin irritation from rashes to burns, 33 are linked to eye irritation, 11 are or are suspected of being potential respiratory toxins or irritants, and 10 are suspected kidney toxins.” She delivered three TEDx talks discussing the long-term damage to

7313-486: The identification and quantification of nanoplastics, since it allows the development of fast, easy, cheap, and sensitive methods. However, the nanoplastic problem is complex and nanoscale properties as well as interaction with biomolecules need to be explored at the fundamental level with high spatial and temporal resolution. Nanoplastics are thought to be a risk to environmental and human health. Due to their small size, nanoplastics can cross cellular membranes and affect

7416-403: The impact of these microplastics on bovine liver catalase (BLC), a crucial antioxidant enzyme. The researchers found that both polythene bags and paper cups release microplastics under hot and cold conditions. These microplastics bind to BLC, causing changes in its structure and reducing its activity. The reduced activity of BLC could potentially disrupt the cellular redox balance, as catalase plays

7519-478: The impacts of chemical dispersants used in response to the spill. Recognized as an outspoken voice on emerging contaminants like plastic, Shaw traveled globally to raise awareness on toxic legacy of man-made chemicals and its impact on public health and the environment. Shaw was born in Dallas, Texas , the daughter of Edward Carrington and Lois (née Bonner) Shaw. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from

7622-498: The impacts of chemical dispersants used in response to the spill. As of 2019, the institute conducts research into ocean pollution , plastics and microplastics, chemical health threats, and climate change in the Gulf of Maine and raises awareness of the toxic legacy of man-made chemicals on human health and marine environments. The institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit scientific research organization funded primarily by grants and charitable contributions. In 1990, Shaw established

7725-430: The impacts of toxic chemicals on marine mammal health became the Institute's research focus over the next two decades. In the Institute's mission to "discover and expose environmental threats to people and wildlife through innovative science," its focus areas are human exposure, plastics and microplastics, marine wildlife exposure, oil spill response, and Maine coastal monitoring. For three decades, Shaw's work focused on

7828-411: The majority was synthetic fibers found in clothing and some types of nets. The implication from the fact that fish are being contaminated with microplastic is that those plastics and their chemicals will bioaccumulate in the food chain. One study analyzed the plastic-derived chemical called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the stomachs of short-tailed shearwaters . It found that one-fourth of

7931-433: The marine environment, posing a risk to biota both as macroplastics, and as secondary microplastics following long-term degradation. Marine debris observed on beaches also arises from beaching of materials carried on inshore and ocean currents. Fishing gear is a form of plastic debris with a marine source. Discarded or lost fishing gear, including plastic monofilament line and nylon netting (sometimes called ghost nets ),

8034-531: The marine environment. In 1988, an international agreement ( MARPOL 73/78 , Annex V) prohibited the dumping of waste from ships into the marine environment. In the United States, the Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act of 1987 prohibits discharge of plastics in the sea, including from naval vessels. However, shipping remains a dominant source of plastic pollution , having contributed around 6.5 million tons of plastic in

8137-591: The northwest Atlantic Ocean . Founded in 1990 by Susan Shaw (as the Marine & Environmental Research Institute), the Shaw Institute was established to research and expose environmental health threats through innovative science and engage in strategic partnerships to improve human and ecological health. Shaw is globally recognized for pioneering high-impact environmental research on ocean pollution , climate change , oil spills , and plastics that has fueled public policy over three decades. In 1983, with landscape photographer Ansel Adams , she published Overexposure ,

8240-614: The northwest Atlantic Ocean. This information helped support toxics policy reform in the state of Maine when the Legislature banned Deca-BDE from household products as of 2010. That same year, Shaw was lead author on a review paper entitled Halogenated Flame Retardants: Do the Fire Safety Benefits Justify the Risks? , which challenged the efficacy of these chemicals in preventing fire deaths. It presented

8343-579: The ocean and runoff can also biomagnify up the food chain. In terrestrial ecosystems, microplastics have been demonstrated to reduce the viability of soil ecosystems. As of 2023, the cycle and movement of microplastics in the environment was not fully known. Deep layer ocean sediment surveys in China (2020) show the presence of plastics in deposition layers far older than the invention of plastics, leading to suspected underestimation of microplastics in surface sample ocean surveys. The term "microplastics"

8446-603: The ocean, but because of their small size they are likely to escape capture by the preliminary treatment screens on wastewater plants. These beads are harmful to the organisms in the ocean, especially filter feeders, because they can easily ingest the plastic and become sick. The microplastics are such a concern because it is difficult to clean them up due to their size, so humans can try to avoid using these harmful plastics by purchasing products that use environmentally safe exfoliates. Plastic pollution has previously been recorded in Antarctic surface waters and sediments as well as in

8549-526: The oil spill. Her findings informed the national debate on the dangers of chemical dispersant use. She maintained that the dispersant-oil mixture was more toxic to wildlife and human health than the oil alone, because of the increased exposure to hydrocarbons in the water column, and the synergistic toxicity of Corexit and oil components combined. Shaw was appointed to the Strategic Sciences Working Group (SSWG), convened by

8652-553: The persistence to microplastics in terrestrial, aerial, and marine ecosystems. The process of washing clothes causes garments to lose an average of over 100 fibers per liter of water. This has been linked with health effects possibly caused by the release of monomers , dispersive dyes, mordants , and plasticizers from manufacturing. The occurrence of these types of fibers in households has been shown to represent 33% of all fibers in indoor environments. Textile fibers have been studied in both indoor and outdoor environments to determine

8755-444: The primary and secondary treatment stages of the plants. A groundbreaking 1998 study suggested that microplastic fibers would be a persistent indicator of sewage sludges and wastewater treatment plant outfalls. A study estimated that about one particle per liter of microplastics are being released back into the environment, with a removal efficiency of about 99.9%. A 2016 study showed that most microplastics are actually removed during

8858-570: The primary stage of treatment, physical processes are employed to remove oils, sand, and other large solids using conventional filters, clarifiers , and settling tanks. Secondary treatment uses biological processes involving bacteria and protozoa to break down organic matter. Common secondary technologies are activated sludge systems, trickling filters , and constructed wetlands . The optional tertiary treatment stage may include processes for nutrient removal ( nitrogen and phosphorus ) and disinfection . Microplastics have been detected in both

8961-437: The primary treatment stage where solid skimming and sludge settling are used. When these treatment facilities are functioning properly, the contribution of microplastics into oceans and surface water environments from WWTPs is not disproportionately large. Many studies show that while wastewater treatment plants certainly reduce the microplastic load on waterways, with current technological developments they are not able to clean

9064-447: The rock/well salts were more likely contaminated during the production stages of collecting, wind drying, and packaging. According to a 2017 estimate, a person who consumes seafood will ingest 11,000 bits of microplastics per year. A 2019 study found a kilo of sugar had 440 microplastic particles, a kilo of salt contained 110 particles, and a litre of bottled water contained 94 particles. In 2008, an International Research Workshop at

9167-610: The seas and the environment. Paint appears as the largest source of microplastic leakage into the ocean and waterways (1.9 Mt/year), outweighing all other sources of microplastic leakage (e.g. textiles fibres and tyre dust). The existence of microplastics in the environment is often established through aquatic studies. These include taking plankton samples, analyzing sandy and muddy sediments , observing vertebrate and invertebrate consumption, and evaluating chemical pollutant interactions. Through such methods, it has been shown that there are microplastics from multiple sources in

9270-444: The secondary microplastics emissions; this value agrees with some emissions estimates. Emissions and pathways depend on local factors like road type or sewage systems. The relative contribution of tire wear and tear to the total global amount of plastics ending up in our oceans is estimated to be 5–10%. In air, 3–7% of the particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) is estimated to consist of tire wear and tear, indicating that it may contribute to

9373-403: The smallest microplastic reportedly detected in the oceans in 2017 was 1.6 micrometres (6.3×10 in) in diameter. The prevalence of microplastics with uneven shapes suggests that fragmentation is a key source. One study suggested that more microplastics might be formed from biodegradable polymer than from non-biodegradable polymer in both seawater and fresh water. "It's actually classified as

9476-598: The statement were, in turn, the basis for the Chicago Tribune 's 2012 exposé of the chemical industry 's campaign to market harmful flame retardant chemicals to the American public. In May 2010, a month after the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, Shaw dove into the oil slick to investigate the impact of the chemical dispersant Corexit , which was being used to contain

9579-443: The street dust of Tehran and found 2,649 particles of microplastic within 10 samples of street dust, with ranging samples concentrations from 83 particle – 605 particles (±10) per 30.0 g of street dust. Microplastics and microfibers were also found in snow samples, and high up in "clean" air in high mountains at vast distances from their source. However, much like freshwater ecosystems and soil, more studies are needed to understand

9682-513: The treatment plants of the world discharge 160 trillion liters of water per day, around 8 trillion microbeads are released into waterways every day. This number does not account for the sewage sludge that is reused as fertilizer after the waste water treatment that has been known to still contain these microbeads. Although many companies have committed to phasing out the use of microbeads in their products, there are at least 80 different facial scrub products that are still being sold with microbeads as

9785-628: The use of organic waste materials to synthetic fibers being found in the soil; but most studies on plastics in soil merely report its presence and do not mention origin or quantity. Controlled studies on fiber-containing land-applied wastewater sludges (biosolids) applied to soil reported semiquantitative recoveries of the fibers a number of years after application. A 2015 review of 15 brands of table salts commercially available in China found microplastics were much more prevalent in sea salts compared to lake, rock, or well salts, attributing this to sea salts being contaminated by ocean water pollution while

9888-432: The use of plastic microbeads in personal care products, which passed unanimously. In 2018, in partnership with Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences , Shaw Institute scientists lead a 2018 study on the uptake and expulsion of microplastic fibers by blue mussels ( Mytilus edulis ) in the Gulf of Maine. In 2019, the Shaw Institute partnered with the international Plastics Health Coalition in order to advance understanding of

9991-447: The waters fully of this pollutant. Sewage sludge is used for soil fertilizer in some countries, which exposes plastics in the sludge to the weather, sunlight, and other biological factors, causing fragmentation. As a result, microplastics from these biosolids often end up in storm drains and eventually into bodies of water. In addition, some studies show that microplastics do pass through filtration processes at some WWTPs. According to

10094-964: Was added to the list of environmental challenges, due to the addition of plastic particles waste in the environment. After degrading, disposable face masks could break down into smaller size particles (under 5mm) emerging a new source of microplastic. A single surgical weathered face mask may release up to 173,000 fibers/ day. A report made in February 2020 by Oceans Asia, an organization committed to advocacy and research on marine pollution, confirms "the presence of face masks of different types and colors in an ocean in Hong Kong". Sewage treatment plants, also known as wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), remove contaminants from wastewater, primarily from household sewage, using various physical, chemical, and biological processes. Most plants in developed countries have both primary and secondary treatment stages. In

10197-626: Was introduced in 2004 by Professor Richard Thompson , a marine biologist at the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom. Microplastics are common in our world today. In 2014, it was estimated that there are between 15 and 51 trillion individual pieces of microplastic in the world's oceans, which was estimated to weigh between 93,000 and 236,000 metric tons. Primary microplastics are small pieces of plastic that are purposefully manufactured. They are usually used in facial cleansers and cosmetics , or in air blasting technology. In some cases, their use in medicine as vectors for drugs

10300-547: Was named a Gulf of Maine Visionary by the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment in 2007. In May 2011, she became the 19th recipient of the Society of Woman Geographers ' Gold Medal Award dating back to 1933, when Amelia Earhart became its first recipient. In March 2012, Shaw received the Explorers Club Citation of Merit Award for her work in ocean conservation . In 2011, she was named “Woman of

10403-599: Was present in all 30 studied lakes of the Masurian Lakeland with density from 0.27 to 1.57 particles per liter. In Canada, a three-year study found a mean microplastic concentration of 193,420 particles km in Lake Winnipeg . None of the microplastics detected were micro-pellets or beads and most were fibers resulting from the breakdown of larger particles, synthetic textiles, or atmospheric fallout. The highest concentration of microplastic ever discovered in

10506-539: Was published in 2011 that found an average of 37.8 fragments per square meter of Lake Huron sediment samples. Additionally, studies have found MP (microplastic) to be present in all of the Great Lakes with an average concentration of 43,000 MP particle km . Microplastics have also been detected in freshwater ecosystems outside of the United States, for example in 2019 study conducted in Poland showed that microplastic

10609-542: Was reported. Microplastic "scrubbers", used in exfoliating hand cleansers and facial scrubs, have replaced traditionally used natural ingredients , including ground almond shells, oatmeal , and pumice . Primary microplastics have also been produced for use in air-blasting technology. This process involves blasting acrylic , melamine , or polyester microplastic scrubbers at machinery, engines, and boat hulls to remove rust and paint. As these scrubbers are used repeatedly until they diminish in size and their cutting power

#666333