ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Microplastics are tiny particles of plastic that measure less than five millimeters in size, and result from plastic waste breaking down into smaller pieces.
Much of it can’t even be seen with the naked eye. But the invisible threat to marine life is there and it could affect everyone.
On this edition of To The Point Already, Bay News 9 anchors Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk with Eckerd College Marine Science professor Shannon Gowans and reporter Cait McVey about microplastics and what’s being done to limit their environmental impact.
“We collect samples in 5 gallon jugs of water,” Gowans said of collections made in Tampa Bay. “(and) we try to monitor from a wide selection of sources in the Bay. We collect particles that are a millimeter or larger and we also collect from sediment on the sea floor.”
Gowans said samples also are pulled from sea animals large and small upon their deaths to see what they’ve been eating.
She said on average, about one to four pieces of unseen microplastics are found for every two liters of sampled water. But efforts are taking place to try to limit plastics in the environment.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 10 states have enacted statewide bans on single-use plastic bags — 11 if you count Hawaii, which has banned plastic bags outright.
However, the NCSL counts 17 states that have preemptive laws on the books that are designed to stop even local municipalities from enacting similar bans.
That includes Florida, the very first state to do so back in 2008. The law essentially banned bans on plastic bags and eventually polystyrene materials like Styrofoam containers.
Since then, attempts to change the law have been unsuccessful, including this past legislative session, when bills filed in both the Florida Senate and House died in committees.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Spectrum Bay News 9 anchor Rick Elmhorst sits down with the people that represent you, the people fighting for change and the people with fascinating stories to ask the hard questions.