Our groundbreaking study on microplastics in North Carolina’s waterways is uncovering some troubling findings. Led by Waterkeepers Carolina’s riverkeepers across the state, the study has been sampling water from 15 different locations since early 2021, and preliminary results show that microplastics have been found in every sample.
Microplastics, tiny particles formed when larger plastics break down, are not only harmful to the environment but are also making their way into our bodies. Studies have linked microplastic consumption to various health concerns, including cell damage and DNA disruption.
Emily Sutton, Haw Riverkeeper, is part of this important effort. She notes that litter like plastic bottles and Styrofoam often ends up in the water, eventually breaking down into microplastics. Sutton hopes that the findings of this study will encourage legislation to limit single-use plastics.
Read the full article online here, as well as watch the accompanying video.
