Latest news with #GreatLakesScienceAdvisoryBoard
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Experts propose wide-reaching new measures to combat invisible scourge plauging the Great Lakes: '[This] would improve our understanding'
The Great Lakes form one of the world's largest freshwater systems, and now an advisory board is working to monitor their health by measuring the amount of microplastics in their waters as they seek solutions to ensure their survival. The International Joint Commission's Great Lakes Science Advisory Board has proposed a regional coordination plan to monitor microplastics in The Great Lakes, according to a report from Buffalo Rising. "Adopting microplastics as an indicator of ecological health would improve our understanding of their prevalence and environmental impacts," Karen Kidd, a member of the board's Science Priority Committee, told Buffalo Rising. Should the government be paying people to hunt invasive species? Definitely Depends on the animal No way Just let people do it for free Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. According to the Alliance for the Great Lakes, the Great Lakes have "stunningly high" quantities of microplastics in their waters, and over 22 million pounds of plastic pollution end up in those lakes every year. The Environmental Working Group shared a report that showed 85% of fish in three Great Lakes tributaries had microplastics in their digestive tracts. Microplastics — particles no more than 5 millimeters in length — pose ongoing health risks to humans and wildlife, with the long-term effects still being studied. Researchers recently found that microplastics became lodged in the brains of mice and restricted blood flow, impacting their movements. Other studies have shown that microplastic exposure has been connected to cancer, dementia, reproductive difficulties, and other health problems. A 2019 study from the University of Newcastle, Australia, stated that, on average, people ingest about a credit-card-sized amount of plastic every week. Monitoring the amount of microplastics in The Great Lakes is a step forward in managing and hopefully mitigating the damage they can cause. "Plastic is a part of modern life and pervasive throughout the Great Lakes ecosystem," Rebecca Rooney, Canadian co-chair of the Science Advisory Board's Research Coordination Committee, told Buffalo Rising. "Yet, the monitoring and reporting on microplastics is largely project-based. The board offers actionable tools to help the Canadian and U.S. governments take a common and routine approach to monitoring microplastics." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists warn swimmers of serious risks lurking in the Great Lakes: 'Highest reported worldwide'
The Great Lakes are some of the most beautiful water bodies in North America. However, residents might say they are far less lovely now, given the health concerns swimmers might face from microplastics. The outdoor advice website Advnture recently raised awareness of the dangers of hard-to-see contaminants. Per the site's report, the Great Lakes Science Advisory Board recently released an analysis discussing how microplastics are an environmental, health, and socioeconomic concern. The reporting suggests that anyone swimming in the lakes could be exposed to high levels of microplastics, though the situation is worst in Lakes Ontario and Michigan, which have a lot of visitors. The microplastics can enter the body through consumption, inhalation, or skin contact, and they are associated with long-term ailments like colon cancer, infertility, and respiratory issues. People who eat fish from the Great Lakes should be cautious, too, as "the microplastic levels in Great Lakes fish are among the 'highest reported worldwide,'" per the news report. The Great Lakes are popular recreation destinations and local treasures, but this report puts the Great Lakes's reputation at stake, potentially harming people's connectivity with nature and painting a worrying picture for the future of the tourism industry. Even though 80% of shoppers want products from sustainable companies, per a Business of Sustainability Index report cited by The Plastek Group, the news report highlights how pervasive plastic has become in our society. Unfortunately, plastics are mostly derived from dirty fuels, and they don't fully degrade on a meaningful timescale — though larger plastics do break down into microplastics. Scientists are finding these in soil and water, which raises further questions about whether our food and water supplies have become contaminated with dangerous levels of microplastics. Governments around the world are taking action to clean up plastic pollution, including the U.S. state of California and the European Union. Additionally, many researchers are working on solutions to remove microplastics from water. How often do you worry about the quality of your drinking water? Never Sometimes Often Always Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. You can also take action to avoid contributing to the growing problem of plastic pollution. Swap those single-use plastic products for reusable plastic-free alternatives. Volunteering for community cleanups can also help keep community recreation areas pristine. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists warn swimmers of serious risks lurking in the Great Lakes: 'Highest reported worldwide'
The Great Lakes are some of the most beautiful water bodies in North America. However, residents might say they are far less lovely now, given the health concerns swimmers might face from microplastics. The outdoor advice website Advnture recently raised awareness of the dangers of hard-to-see contaminants. Per the site's report, the Great Lakes Science Advisory Board recently released an analysis discussing how microplastics are an environmental, health, and socioeconomic concern. The reporting suggests that anyone swimming in the lakes could be exposed to high levels of microplastics, though the situation is worst in Lakes Ontario and Michigan, which have a lot of visitors. The microplastics can enter the body through consumption, inhalation, or skin contact, and they are associated with long-term ailments like colon cancer, infertility, and respiratory issues. People who eat fish from the Great Lakes should be cautious, too, as "the microplastic levels in Great Lakes fish are among the 'highest reported worldwide,'" per the news report. The Great Lakes are popular recreation destinations and local treasures, but this report puts the Great Lakes's reputation at stake, potentially harming people's connectivity with nature and painting a worrying picture for the future of the tourism industry. Even though 80% of shoppers want products from sustainable companies, per a Business of Sustainability Index report cited by The Plastek Group, the news report highlights how pervasive plastic has become in our society. Unfortunately, plastics are mostly derived from dirty fuels, and they don't fully degrade on a meaningful timescale — though larger plastics do break down into microplastics. Scientists are finding these in soil and water, which raises further questions about whether our food and water supplies have become contaminated with dangerous levels of microplastics. Governments around the world are taking action to clean up plastic pollution, including the U.S. state of California and the European Union. Additionally, many researchers are working on solutions to remove microplastics from water. How often do you worry about the quality of your drinking water? Never Sometimes Often Always Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. You can also take action to avoid contributing to the growing problem of plastic pollution. Swap those single-use plastic products for reusable plastic-free alternatives. Volunteering for community cleanups can also help keep community recreation areas pristine. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
