Washington, DC – A new study published in Nature Communications finds that the Atlantic Ocean contains much more plastic than previously determined.
In response to the news, Greenpeace UK Campaigner Nina Schrank, said:
“Microplastics have been found everywhere from the Arctic to the Mariana Trench, in our seafood and even the air we breathe. We know that particles of plastic are present in every ocean and every river that’s been tested, but we’re still drastically underestimating how much plastic is entering the environment. Action from retailers and brands on cutting throwaway plastic still doesn’t come close to matching the scale and urgency of the problem. And the problem could be even bigger than we thought.
“We know that vulnerable sharks like spiny dogfish and bull huss have been ingesting microplastics in the Atlantic, and countless other animals are also being caught, tangled and choked by our plastic waste. Scientists have just determined how to identify plastic particles in human organs, which is a stark reminder that we don’t know how our plastic habits affect our own health. Nature has been sounding the alarm on plastic pollution for years. Supermarkets must completely eliminate pointless plastic and reduce all other plastic packaging by shifting to reuse and refill systems.”
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Contact: Perry Wheeler, Greenpeace USA Senior Communications Specialist, P: 301-675-8766
