Scientists from the University of Plymouth in the U.K. recently made a disturbing discovery near the summit of Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on Earth: microplastics. Microscopic pieces of plastic were found just a few hundred feet short of the peak of the 29,000-foot mountain, at a spot known as the balcony. The scientists collected snow samples from 11 locations on … Continue reading Microplastic pollution found near summit of Mount Everest
“Eco-friendly” glitter just as damaging to the environment as conventional glitter, study finds
“Eco-friendly” glitter has become increasingly popular these days, fueled in part by the need to find alternatives to conventional polyethylene terephthalate (PET) glitter, a known environmental risk. However, a new study reveals that so-called eco-friendly glitter is just as damaging to the environment, causing ecological damage to rivers and lakes, as its plastic variant. The report, published in … Continue reading “Eco-friendly” glitter just as damaging to the environment as conventional glitter, study finds
A dangerous brew: Plastic teabags release BILLIONS of microplastics particles into your drink
Teabags made from plastic – rather than the usual paper – are fast becoming common around the globe. But tea drinkers ought to steer clear of these plastic teabags after recent tests found that a single bag could shed billions of microplastics into each cup. In a major breakthrough, scientists from Canada’s McGill University at Montreal found that just one plastic teabag … Continue reading A dangerous brew: Plastic teabags release BILLIONS of microplastics particles into your drink
Just 10 minutes of swimming in the ocean is all it takes for infection-causing bacteria to alter skin microbiome – is pollution to blame?
A quick dip in the ocean is hard to beat on a hot day, but a new study shows that ocean bacteria can colonize your skin surprisingly fast – and some types of it can be quite dangerous. Researchers say that just 10 minutes of swimming in the ocean is enough to see your skin … Continue reading Just 10 minutes of swimming in the ocean is all it takes for infection-causing bacteria to alter skin microbiome – is pollution to blame?
Over 90 percent of salt brands contain MICROPLASTICS, scientists find
Bad news, salt lovers — a recent study says that over 90 percent of salts sold across the world contain microplastics. The study, published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, looked at 39 salt brands from 21 countries, including the U.S. and China. Microplastics refer to plastic debris less than five millimeters in length — around the size of … Continue reading Over 90 percent of salt brands contain MICROPLASTICS, scientists find
Compounds in plastic linked to declines in sperm quality, quantity
While most of us are aware of the dangers posed by pollution, we may not be aware that our very existence is being threatened in a very different way by plastics in the environment. Could the future of the human race be hanging in the balance? A recent study by researchers from the U.K.’s Nottingham University, published … Continue reading Compounds in plastic linked to declines in sperm quality, quantity
Will plastic pollution end the world? Experts say it’s possible
A team of 250 experts from around the world has named plastic pollution as one of the greatest threats to global health. Estimates suggest that eight million tons of plastic waste is dumped into the oceans every year. There is little doubt that the plastic revolution has changed the world –but as we are seeing … Continue reading Will plastic pollution end the world? Experts say it’s possible
Nearly all bottled water found to contain microplastics… you are drinking “plastic stew” that disrupts human hormones
Plastic is all around us, in everything from the toys our children play with to the cosmetics we use and the packaging of the foods we eat. And now experts are expressing concerns that all this plastic might mean that microplastics – tiny bits of plastic small enough to be ingested by humans – could … Continue reading Nearly all bottled water found to contain microplastics… you are drinking “plastic stew” that disrupts human hormones
Scientists have found ANOTHER major problem with the plastic pollution in the oceans: It harbors bacteria that can be transferred up the food chain
Experts predict that there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish within the next century — a serious problem, considering there’s still a lot to be explored in their depths. The adverse effects of plastic pollution have been the subject of many studies, but according to marine scientists from the National University of Singapore, their … Continue reading Scientists have found ANOTHER major problem with the plastic pollution in the oceans: It harbors bacteria that can be transferred up the food chain
Follow these tips to reduce plastic pollution
It’s official: We’re heading toward a “plastic world” – and we’re not talking about credit cards. Plastic – the ubiquitous polymer found in nearly all consumer products – is part of just about every aspect of our lives. For the most part, it’s a versatile material that has been part of many significant innovations, such as in … Continue reading Follow these tips to reduce plastic pollution
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 