An ocean full of plastic... is it true?

This week, we were asked to look for an article related to an environmental science topic that was particularly interesting to us. In addition to giving a brief summary and our reaction to the article, we were asked to look at where the article came from, the source. Can you trust what you’re reading? Is the source reliable? Is the information backed by data or are logical fallacies at play? Like most people nowadays, I read my news online, and it’s not always easy to tell which sources of information are reliable, and which sources are not.

Let’s take a look at the article:

Where Has All The (Sea Trash) plastic gone?

Plastics are a huge problem in our marine environments. While the large pieces can end up clogging the GI tract of organisms, microplastics pose other threats despite their minute size. They are chemical magnets, attracting toxic chemicals like phthalates, that are easily consumed by small prey and eventually work their way up the food chain, posing potential threats to humans. This article focuses on recent study that uncovered the “disappearing sea trash” mystery. The floating trash that researcher expected to find but didn’t, has been found, broken down into tiny pieces called microplastics, in remote deep sea habitats. The study showed that every square kilometer contains 4 billion microplastic fibers, illustrating plastic pollution’s ubiquity. The presence of this plastic poses major threats, but how it works its way into food webs and affect humans is unknown at this point, so further studies are needed to answer these questions.

After reading the article, my reaction was a mixture of multiple emotions. Recently, I completed a research project concerned with microplastic consumption in fish, so this article, along with any other that is related to plastics in our natural habitats, naturally sparked an interest. Having that first-hand experience, I know there is a lot of plastic present in our marine ecosystem, yet I’m still shocked by the sheer numbers, “4 billion pieces per km²”. That is a lot of plastic! It’s disheartening to see the enormous amounts of microplastics that are contaminating our oceans. While this article talks about the accumulation of plastic in the deep sea, microplastics are found at every depth of the ocean, so it affects many ecosystems as well. Protecting marine ecosystems is a passion of mine, and I’m pleased to see that attention to this matter is being brought forth, and hopefully steps will be taken to protect our natural habitats and wildlife by stopping plastic before it can enter the water shed. All of this really makes you think. Is that facial scrub worth it?

Let’s look back at the source of this article, which was published by National Geographic News. Established in 1888, Their mission is clear. National Geographic is a worldwide nonprofit organization with a strong belief in the power of science, exploration, and storytelling to change and protect the planet. National Geographic funds scientists to conduct research and share their findings with the world. One thing that impressed me is that everything the author "claimed" was supported with scientific data from previous studies. It shows that the author of article did his research and educated the public with truthful information and not something that he thought we wanted to hear, sticking with National Geographic’s belief in science. Although I was unable to find all of the evidence that I wanted to determine this a reliable, based on the information I did find, I’m confident that National Geographic News is a reliable source, and the information is science based.

Here’s a short but interesting info-video about plastic in marine environments, and what you can do to help. 

Chemical Hazards in Everyday Products

This week, we were asked to research the potential risks that are correlated with the chemicals found in common household and personal care products. There are too many chemicals and not enough time to talk about all of them, so I’m going to focus on two: 1) 1,4-dioxane and 2) phthalates.

1,4-dioxane
EPA Classification: B2-probable carcinogen

(http://www.safecosmetics.org/wp-content/
uploads/2015/02/CFSC_14-Dioxane_1-1-copy.jpg)

1,4- dioxane is a waste product of the chemical ethylene oxide, and it is used as an industrial solvent in the manufacturing of other chemicals. 1,4-dioxane is not intentionally added but is often an unintentional byproduct of added ingredients, including PEG, polyethylene, polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, and ingredients with the suffix -eth (e.g. laureth) (epa.gov).

What are some of the health risks?

First, the chemical has to get in. There are several ways that 1,4-dioxide makes its way into our bodies; It is absorbed through our digestive tract (via contaminated water, food, etc…), across our skin (via shampoo, soap, face wash, toothpaste, etc.), or inhaled (occupational workers).1,4-dioxane is linked to neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and organ damage. Although, it is thought to have adverse effects on the reproductive system, no information is available on the effects in humans (atsdr.cdc.gov). Studies have shown that 1,4-dioxane can cause liver and kidney damage with chronic exposure. If high levels of the chemical are inhaled in a short amount of time, 1,4-dioxane can cause dizziness, headache, and irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract (epa.gov)

Phthalates

(http://saferchemicals.org/chemicals/phthalates/)

Phthalates are a group of chemicals that are used to make plastic soft and flexible yet hard to break. They are found almost everywhere, from IV tubing and hairspray to children’s toys and insecticides. (cdc.gov)

What are some of the health risks?

We are exposed to phthalates many different ways. Phthalates leech from plastics, contaminating food. So, one of the most common ways we are exposed is simply by eating and drinking foods that have been in contact with them. Phthalates are also absorbed across the skin. According to the CDC, children have a higher risk of exposure because of their “hand-to-mouth behavior”. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors. “Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that may interfere with the production or activity of hormones in the endocrine system” (toxtown.nlm.nih.gov). Recently, research has shown that phthalates are linked to asthma, ADHD, breast cancer, obesity, type II diabetes, low IQ, behavioral issues, and male fertility issues (cdc.gov)

This is a SHORT list of products that contain phthalates:

•          PVC
•         Children's toys
•          Food packaging
•          Shower curtains
•          Vinyl flooring
•          Wallpaper
•          Household cleaners
•          Nail polish
•          Hair spray
•          Lipstick
•          Nail polish remover
•          Shampoo
•          Perfume
•          Garden hoses
•          Lubricants: oil
•          Adhesives: glue
•          Laundry detergent
•          Foods packaged with plastic
•          Tap water
•          Medical equipment
•          Insecticides

On more than one occasion, I have found myself reading the ingredients on the back of my shampoo bottle and not having the slightest idea what most of it is. But there is one ingredient that I have noticed on almost every bottle that I can remember. Sodium laureth sulfate. Most shampoo, including what you will find in my bathroom, contains it. Products containing sodium laureth sulfate can up to 270 parts per million of 1,4-dioxane (atsdr.cdc.gov)

Are there Alternatives?

Yes!

• One of my favorites is Dr. Bronner’s natural, organic soap. The best part about this product is that it is affordable and readily available, so I don’t have hunt it down. I’ve found it at Target for around $12.00. I know that seems like a lot, but it is a big bottle, and a little goes a long way. The best part? No 1,4-dioxane.
• I haven't tried this personally, but my Aunt is paranoid about chemicals, so she tries to be as natural as she can. For shampoo, she mixed Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap with coconut milk.
• Homemade Shampoo using two (or three) simple ingredients (http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-shampoo/)

- 1 tbsp baking soda

- 1 cup water

- a couple drops of essential oil

These chemicals are everywhere and are hard avoid, but with time and patience, our exposure to these hazardous chemicals can be reduced.

Sources:

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=953&tid=199

http://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/phthalates_factsheet.html

https://www.epa.gov/airtoxics/hlthef/dioxane.html

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-03/documents/ffrro_factsheet_contaminant_14-dioxane_january2014_final.pdf

https://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/text_version/chemicals.php?id=24

https://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/text_version/chemicals.php?id=65

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/feb/10/phthalates-plastics-chemicals-research-analysis

A look at my ecological footprint...

For our first assignment, we were asked to calculate our ecological footprint to find out one question. If the entire human population lived the way I do, how many earths would it take to provide enough resources? My result...3.7 earths.

I know that sounds like a lot, but I expected my ecological footprint to be much larger. With that being said, had the questions been directed at everyone who lives in my household, rather than just myself the results would be VERY different.

Services account for the largest portion of my Footprint. Mobility makes up the next largest chunk at 23%. I expected that because of the distance that I travel to and from work/school. Surprisingly, shelter accounts the smallest portion.

So what can be done to reduce my footprint? if eat 50% fewer animal products, be wise about packaging, install solar panels, have energy efficient appliances, and use public transportation more, I can reduce my footprint by 0.4 earths. I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but anything helps!

Now what? I’m going to commit to one and yes only one! Why? I'll explain later.

I pledge to purchase products that use less packaging or are made out of recycled material. When it comes to shopping for certain things, i'm lazy. I'm often too tired to care or simply don't think about the packaging of items that i'm purchasing. But if I do that and only that, then I can reduce my footprint by 0.2 earths!

In the past couple of years, I have made big changes in the way I live my life. I’m much more aware of my impact, as well as others’ on this earth. Recently, for environmental and non-environmental reasons, I implemented more than one of these suggestions in my life. One suggestion is to cut the amount of animal products I consume in half. Within the past year, I practically stopped consuming animal products all together. Today, I consume mostly plant based products with fish being the main animal product that I consume. I like to know where my food comes from, so I took up gardening and started to grow my own year-round. For what I don't/can't grow, I rely on the local farmer's market for most of my fruits and veggies. 

I mentioned earlier that I have quite a daily commute. To combat the cost of gas and to "save the world," I started taking the bus to and from school two days a week. I would commit to more days, but I need to sleep sometime!

Found out your Ecological Footprint and see what you can do! www.footprintnetwork.org/calculator

A helpful list...

Just a short list of environmental science related websites and blogs:


http://scienceblogs.com/channel/environment/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/environmental_science/
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/

http://www.npr.org/sections/environment/

I will add more later

A brief introduction...

Simba

Brooke

Hello! Welcome to my Blog!

I’m going to start off by introducing myself. My name is Amber, and I created this blog for my environmental science college course. I was born and raised in Southern California. Although I have tried to move away, something keeps calling me back. In 2008, I moved to Northampton, England. I loved it at first, but I grew homesick and missed the sun, so I moved back after a year and a half. It seems to be that the closer I am to the Pacific Ocean, the happier I am. I currently reside in Menifee, which is not close enough. I see San Diego in my near future. I’m an avid fisher-woman; it’s my form of meditation; “A bad day of fishing is great day on to sea.” In addition to fishing, some of my other hobbies include: Hiking, testing my cooking skills, gardening (not quite a green thumb but close enough), quilting, and recently I have taken up photography. I’m not married and have no human children of my own, but I’m an awesome Auntie to Aydin, Ayla, Isaiah, Jude, Sophia, and Bennett. I have a huge heart for animals of all shapes and sizes, so naturally I’m pet mom to some furry and not so furry critters.

Butters. Cutest frog ever!

Coral. she is Queen of the house

I am currently in my second to last semester at Riverside City College. This time last year, if you had asked me what my major was, I would have said "nursing," but things happen, you re-discover your passion, and plans change, and I haven't looked back. Since I love everything ocean, I’m majoring in marine biology.  I plan on transferring to a 4-year university to finish up my undergrad, although which university is still up for debate. The specific aspect of marine biology that I want to delve into is wetlands ecology and conservation. I fell in love with the wetlands on a field trip earlier this year, and spending the summer doing research at the wetlands in Mission Bay, San Diego just confirmed and cemented my decision. Ideally, I would like to work in a research lab before/during/after obtaining my degree(s). But recently, I have been swayed towards academia. My mentor said, "why do you have to choose? Do both!" So I can see myself being a teaching researcher and not the other way around.

Just a side note....One of my favorite places on earth, that’s not near the ocean, is Sequoia National Park. I try to go every year at the beginning of summer, but I haven’t been in the last there. I find the views, landscapes and wildlife mesmerizing and can spend hours starring, taking everything in. If you haven't been, you should definitely make the trip!

Enjoy!