KATHLEEN CORBIN

Yep. We now have another plastic pollutant to worry about! NURDLES !

Billions of these tiny plastic pellets (microplastics) are floating in the oceans, causing huge environmental destruction. Nurdles are the small plastic pellets less than 5mm in size that are used in the plastics industry to manufacture all kinds of plastic products. These pellets are shipped all over the world. When there is a land or water spill at any stage of transport billions of these pellets are released into the environment. Land spills eventually make their way into the water system through storm drains, rivers, and streams.

These microplastics look like food (fish roe) to smaller marine animals. Once eaten, these microplastics enter the animal’s blood stream or block their digestive system. This causes harm, illness, suffering, and death of marine animals. The nurdles also act as a magnet for extremely toxic chemicals. So, not only, are the marine animals eating plastic but they are eating toxic chemicals, as well.

And guess who eats the fish? We do! Over 80% of humans now have plastic in their system. We continue to contaminate our food supply on both land and at sea. My question is: When will it stop???