plastic -> fish -> people = toxic

[funchy]

I learned something interesting recently. There is a massive amount of plastic floating in the open ocean. The organisms that ingest it, if they don't die, pass on the chemicals to the predator which eats them. These chemicals move up the food chain into the ocean fish people eat. We know many of the chemicals in plastic are not health for a person to eat. Therefore there is mounting worry about this growing health hazard.

What do you think? Is it a real problem? Why isn't anyone doing anything about it?

Been-Seen.com:: Travel Info - An Ocean of Rubbish

The trash vortex | Greenpeace International

The world's rubbish dump: a garbage tip that stretches from Hawaii to Japan - Environment - The Independent

[Ebinesos]

Yes this is disgusting. and repulsive and toxic. For far too long our species has undervalued our roots.

There is a solution on the horizon

Once plastic recycling becomes profitable, this will be seen as not a problem, but a floating cash cow. Then it will take care of itself.

[Dan.Linehan]

Is it strange that I see robots as the solution to everything?

Robots to remove plastic from the ocean. Robots to desalinate ocean water and provide fresh water. Robots to remove CO2 from the air. Robots to grow and harvest our organic crops.

[Dan.Linehan]

I for one, welcome our new robot overlords.

[RRR]

Uh oh.. Are you suggesting my all plastic diet is unhealthy? I had a lovely 2 liter tar tar with a snicker wrapper glaze earlier. I awoke several hours later in a daze, my liver beside me smoking a cigarette. He seems to agree with your assertion, but my local GP Dr. Spock still recommends 3-5 daily servings.

[lifetimelearner]

Originally Posted by RRR

Uh oh.. Are you suggesting my all plastic diet is unhealthy? I had a lovely 2 liter tar tar with a snicker wrapper glaze earlier. I awoke several hours later in a daze, my liver beside me smoking a cigarette. He seems to agree with your assertion, but my local GP Dr. Spock still recommends 3-5 daily servings.

I do have to admit I love your sense of humor

[lifetimelearner]

[QUOTE=funchy;267739]I learned something interesting recently. There is a massive amount of plastic floating in the open ocean. The organisms that ingest it, if they don't die, pass on the chemicals to the predator which eats them. These chemicals move up the food chain into the ocean fish people eat. We know many of the chemicals in plastic are not health for a person to eat. Therefore there is mounting worry about this growing health hazard.



makes me want to burn down some factories !!
but then I would contribute to the air pollution

very SCARY

[missing]

Originally Posted by funchy

I learned something interesting recently. There is a massive amount of plastic floating in the open ocean. The organisms that ingest it, if they don't die, pass on the chemicals to the predator which eats them. These chemicals move up the food chain into the ocean fish people eat. We know many of the chemicals in plastic are not health for a person to eat. Therefore there is mounting worry about this growing health hazard.

What do you think? Is it a real problem? Why isn't anyone doing anything about it?

I don't know but I've read that fish are like sponges when it comes to absorbing toxins, and our oceans are pretty damn toxic. It's truly unfortunate because otherwise seafood contains so many great things for us health wise. I'm particularly worried about mercury contamination. It's best to eat lower on the food chain, so a prey fish like sardines is less an issue, but tuna, a predator, can pose problems. Swordfish, I remember reading, were the worst for mercury. Something like salmon (which i love) is in between, though on the less harmful side. Shell fish are generally bad news, which sucks cause I love oysters, shrimp, etc! Thankfully that stuff is expensive so I don't have to stress out about not eating it, as I simply can't afford it! Once or twice a year I like to go to an expensive restaurant and gouge on toxic raw seafood. But I don't make it a regular habit.

Interesting stuff with the plastics, I will have to look more into it. Thanks for posting!

[shakra]

Originally Posted by RRR

Uh oh.. Are you suggesting my all plastic diet is unhealthy? I had a lovely 2 liter tar tar with a snicker wrapper glaze earlier. I awoke several hours later in a daze, my liver beside me smoking a cigarette. He seems to agree with your assertion, but my local GP Dr. Spock still recommends 3-5 daily servings.

funniest thing I have read all day...