Saturday, May 3, 2025
More

    Plastic is polluting our brains and bodies!

    Date:

    Sharing is SO MUCH APPRECIATED!

    By David Suzuki

    Microplastics, soft plastics, burning plastics, plastics in the ocean, plastics in our brains, livers, kidneys, joints, reproductive organs, bones, blood… Plastic, a byproduct of the oil and gas industry, is everywhere, in various forms.

    Like oil and gas, plastic has provided us with many conveniences and cost savings. It’s lightweight, strong yet flexible, corrosion-resistant, waterproof and can be moulded into any shape and made clear or any colour. That makes it useful for everything from liquid containers to building materials to medical supplies. It’s in just about everything.

    But its ubiquity and the harms it causes have undermined its utility.

    Plastic doesn’t really biodegrade. It breaks down into smaller and smaller particles until it’s referred to as “microplastic” or “nanoplastic” — ultimately invisible.

    Some plastics can be recycled, but not indefinitely, and recycling is energy-intensive. Most of it isn’t recycled but ends up in landfills, incinerators, waterways and oceans. Massive amounts are used for single-use items, and despite municipal and other programs and regulations to discourage single-use plastics, we’re using more every day. Soft plastics, such as food bags and packaging, are especially common.

    When it’s burned — which it often is — it creates a toxic polluting mix of fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, dioxins and more, which causes heart disease, respiratory disorders and neurological problems and around seven million deaths a year, the Washington Post reports. Heavy metals, dioxins and other pollutants in the ash contaminate soil and groundwater and disrupt food chains.

    It’s also a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, much of them generated when plastics are produced from fossil fuels.

    But it’s not just air, water, soil and food that are being contaminated. Microplastics, tiny specks smaller than five millimetres in diameter, are now being found in human organs, including our brains, lungs and reproductive organs. Their presence can cause cell damage, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, fertility issues, cancer, immune system disruption and cognitive issues.

    One study found brains are accumulating as much as 10 or 20 times more than other organs. The Guardian reports that 24 brain samples collected in early 2024 measured on average about 0.5 per cent plastic by weight, and that people who died with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease had 10 times more plastic in their brains than people without those health issues. Quantities found in brains in 2024 were also 50 per cent higher than in samples dating to 2016.

    “You can draw a line — it’s increasing over time. It’s consistent with what you’re seeing in the environment,” said study lead author Matthew Campen, from the University of New Mexico.

    Plastic is also being found increasingly in animal brains.

    What’s particularly astounding is that most plastic only came into our lives over the past 75 or so years. When I was growing up, plastic bags and packaging were unheard of.

    We can all limit exposure to plastic contamination: avoid microwaving food in plastic containers, choose tap water if possible over bottled, keep dust at bay (it contains plastic particles), eat less meat and processed foods (which can contain plastic particles) and avoid excessive packaging.

    But plastic is a byproduct of the oil and gas industry and has become a profit generator in that sector as the world shifts to cleaner energy. Just as industry is pushing fossil gas (misleadingly called “natural” gas but mostly the potent greenhouse gas methane, and most often fracked), it’s also pushing more plastic.

    We can’t trust industry or “markets” to do the right thing. That’s why it’s critical to secure local, national and international regulations to stop plastic from poisoning our biosphere and plasticizing us.

    Canada has made a good start by banning some non-essential, single-use plastic items, and by hosting international negotiations this year in Ottawa around an international treaty to set limits on global plastic production. Those negotiations — which will address plastic’s full life cycle, including production, design and disposal — are expected to be finalized later this year in South Korea. But the fossil fuel industry is pushing back.

    Enough is enough. We don’t need excessive packaging or single-use items. We don’t need disposable plastic trinkets or straws. Plastic pollution is a growing global problem. It affects our ecosystems and our bodies.

    Let’s push our government to take a strong stand to limit global plastic production.

    David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Written with David Suzuki Foundation Senior Writer and Editor Ian Hanington.

    Learn more at davidsuzuki.org.

    REFERENCES:

    Nanoplastic:

    https://theconversation.com/what-are-nanoplastics-an-engineer-explains-concerns-about-particles-too-small-to-see-225791

    We’re using more every day:

    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/sep/07/soft-plastics-are-a-scourge-of-the-earth-but-there-are-ways-to-break-our-toxic-addiction

    Toxic polluting mix:

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10786097

    Washington Post reports:

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2024/09/04/plastic-waste-burned-study

    Significant source of greenhouse gas emissions:

    Microplastics:

    https://theconversation.com/microplastics-are-in-our-brains-how-worried-should-i-be-237401

    Guardian reports:

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/21/microplastics-brain-pollution-health

    Past 75 or so years:

    https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/chemistry/age-plastic-parkesine-pollution

    International treaty to set limits on global plastic production:

    https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution

    Push our government to take a strong stand:

    https://davidsuzuki.org/action/stop-plastic-pollution

    Sharing is SO MUCH APPRECIATED!

    POPULAR

    More Good Stuff!
    Related

    I’m DISGUSTED By Rogan & Musk For THIS

    Elon Musk went on Joe Rogan and they of...

    John Wort Hannam – Sunday, April 27 | MEAFORD HALL

    Opening: Drew McIvor Sunday, April 27 2pm | $35John Wort Hannam...

    Frankie Malloy says “Lets Find a Forever Home for Kiss and Loki”

    Meet Kiss Kiss is a 10 months old female Domestic Shorthair/Mix cat who weighs 3 kilograms. Hi Friends, My...

    7 Beginner Raised Bed Garden Mistakes to Avoid

    In this video I will share seven common raised...

    Arts & Crafts Walk Returns to The Blue Mountains on July 6, 2024

    The Blue Mountains Public Library’s Arts and Culture Council...

    Mayor Andrea Matrosovs Acclaimed as Grey County Warden

    The Town of The Blue Mountains Mayor Andrea Matrosovs...

    An Appeal to Tech Giants – Google, Microsoft, Open AI, X.AI Corp, NVIDIA, Intel, IBM

    By John Paily We are in an era of Artificial...

    Update on Campus of Care Project

    The Town of The Blue Mountains would like to...

    Paddle Power! Collingwood Regatta | June 8th

    CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER Collingwood Paddling Club is pleased to...

    The Woman Who Helps NBA Stars To Sleep | Dr Cheri Mah

    Quicker decision making and faster reaction times, here's how...

    The Inspiring Leadership of Mark Carney: A New Era for Canada

    In March 2025, Canada welcomed a new chapter in...

    VIDEO | The Men Who Stole the World (and got away with it) | Best Documentary

    They're bankers, traders, investment funds executives. They forgot all...

    VIDEOS | 2nd Annual Kenny’s Concert with Team GIVE’R 🤘

    It was a picture perfect evening on the shores...

    World’s Biggest Cruise Ships: The Hidden Workings of Sea Titans | Multiple Ships

    World's Biggest Cruise Ships: The Hidden Workings of Sea...

    Sen. Sanders Responds to Trump’s Congressional Address

    President Trump’s Congressional Address needs a response. Here’s mine...

    The Art of Deception: Comparing State-Sponsored Misinformation in the USA and China

    A Deep Dive into Global Narratives and Their Implications In...

    The SHOCKING Side Effects Of OZEMPIC | Ozempic Expert Johann Hari

    What are the side effects of Ozempic? Johann Hari is...

    Ally Vitally | Staying Safe from Internet and Phone Scams

    In today's digital age, internet and phone scams are...

    International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024: Amplifying Leadership for an Inclusive Future

    Collingwood, ON – The Town of Collingwood proudly joins...

    Captain Ship Shepherd shares the History of our Great Northern Exhibition

    Our fair started out on property in Duntroon in...

    China’s MASSIVE Space Project is About to Change the World!

    China is building a new space solar power station...

    With Spatial Intelligence, AI Will Understand the Real World | Fei-Fei Li | TED

    In the beginning of the universe, all was darkness...

    FLYING OVER CANADA | 4K | Relaxing Music

    Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the...

    Fareed Zakaria on what Assad’s fall says about Russia

    CNN’s Fareed Zakaria explores what Syria’s stunning fall to...

    County and Town partner with Faith Missionary Church to open new warming centre in Wasaga Beach

    Centre will open when temperatures are expected to reach...

    Dollar Villa – Your Gift Giving Headquarters in Collingwood

    Some great ideas for gifts and stocking stuffers from...

    2025 Municipal Budget – Join the Conversation | Town of Collingwood

    Collingwood, ON  –  It is Municipal Budget time again, and...

    Best Electric Bikes 2024 | Top 26 Bikes Tested & Reviewed, All Under $3K

    So what makes an e-bike the best? Well, that's...

    The Blue Mountains and Collingwood Kick Off Collaborative Multi-Use Recreation Feasibility Assessment

    Collingwood, ON  – The Town of The Blue Mountains and...

    Marc Suood shares “3 Pickleball Shots You NEED To Master NOW”

    Every Saturday, Marc Suood shares a pickleball video or...

    Collingwood Museum invites community input to shape new Master Plan

    Collingwood, ON - As part of May is...

    HOLDEN & FINN: A JAZZY GOLDEN AGE CABARET | Simcoe Street Theatre

    NOW FEATURING AN ALL NEW TRIBUTE TO BROADWAY! 2:30 &...

    What’s behind the rising cost of your pet’s care? | Marketplace

    More than half of Canadians now have a pet...

    CBC | 3 Online Safety Tips that Might Surprise You

    During a busy season of online shopping, cyber criminals may...

    David Suzuki | High hopes for hemp?

    High hopes for hemp? By David Suzuki Hemp has been promoted...

    Pickleball Doubles Strategy Masterclass (pickleball tips to win at any level)

    Improve your Pickleball game with this Doubles Strategy Masterclass!...

    CARING GRANDPARENTS, DON’T ACT TOO QUICKLY!

    (ORILLIA, ON) - Grandparent or emergency scams are common scams...

    Keeping Fire Hydrants Clear of Snow

    The Town of The Blue Mountains would like to...

    VIDEO | Understanding the Gene Keys: Discover Your Higher Purpose | Richard Rudd

    Richard Rudd, Founder of the Gene Keys, explains the...

    A Story of Intersecting Lives | The Tariffs are Officially in Effect

    How global and local events on a single day...

    Rosa Sparks shares 6 Morning Habits That Are Secretly Shortening Your Life – And How to Stop Them Now!

    Are your morning habits silently stealing years from your...

    9 Thirty Six shares: Here are 9 great fitness events and activities to kickstart the new year!

    936 suggests: Walking Works Wonders... PLEASE REMEMBER that 9 Thirty...

    OPP – LARGE QUANTITIES OF FENTANYL AND COCAINE SEIZED

    (PETERBOROUGH, ON) - A Peterborough resident is facing drug-related charges...

    The Collingwood Sailing Academy FUNDRAISER | June 15th

    This Saturday the Collingwood Sailing Academy is hosting a...

    Ignorance of nature will push us over the edge

    By David Suzuki A major initiative in the U.K. has...

    INTERIM DETACHMENT COMMANDER NAMED FOR THE SOUTHERN GEORGIAN BAY OPP

    (TOWNS OF MIDLAND, PENETANGUISHENE, TOWNSHIPS OF TINY, TAY, GEORGIAN...

    Self-Reliant Couple Growing 80% of Their Food on an Incredible Off-Grid Homestead!

    Laurie & Dan are growing 80% of their own...

    Preparing for the AI Job Market: Essential Studies for Young People

    The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming...

    Ally Vitally shares “The Enchantment of the Strawberry Moon”

    The first full moon of the summer is making...

    Public Art Call for Artists – 2025 Opportunities

    Collingwood, ON — The Town of Collingwood is...

    OPP Urge Easter Road Safety and Target Impaired Driving

    (COLLINGWOOD/THE BLUE MOUNTAINS, ON) - As the Easter long weekend...

    UPDATE I – OPP Seeking Assistance in Theft of Retail Items from Midland Store

    Suspects Identified and Charged Through investigation and the assistance of...

    Business in Motion Speaker Series Returns October 30, 2024

    Collingwood, ON - The Town of Collingwood is excited...

    Jeff Woods Birthday Banger: ZED – A Tribute to Led Zeppelin

    Jeff Woods and the MSC are proud to jointly...

    Ally Vitally asks: Feeling a bit sluggish? Want to give your immune system a boost? #GINGER

    Look no further than the power of ginger and...

    Jozo Weider and the History of Blue Mountain | A Canadian Tourism Landmark

    From Humble Beginnings to Premier Destination: The Evolution of...

    Immune-Boosting Foods to Eat During Winter to Help You Stay Healthy

    As winter rolls in, it brings cold weather and...

    VIDEO: Tesla FSD 13 First Drive!

    This video showcases the new features of Tesla's Full...

    936 shares: Assess Your Fitness Level: Start the New Year with a Health Tune-Up!

    Start the New Year with a Health Tune-Up! ...

    This Weeks OPP Snowmobile Patrol Went From Winterama To Winter Blizzard

    (MIDLAND,ON) - It was quite the week and a bit...

    The Hudson’s Bay Company: From Fur Trade Empire to Modern Retail Challenges

    North America's Oldest Commercial Enterprise The Hudson's Bay Company (HBC)...

    Meaford’s 150th Birthday Party

    Parade - 1pm St. Vincent Street to the Harbour You're...

    Live & Original Summer Concert Series presents Layla & Logan Staats | Friday, August 9th

    Layla and Logan Staats are Friday, August 9th Join us...

    2025 Proposed Town Budget Now Available for Public Input

    The 2025 Proposed Town Budget is now available for...

    OPP: How being a proactive driver/citizen helps keep roads safe

    OPP to Conduct Robust Festive RIDE Campaign (ORILLIA, ON) - With...

    Global Markets Plunge as Trade War Escalates: Your World News Roundup

    China Retaliates with 34% Tariffs as Political Crises Unfold...

    Remembering the Heroes of D-Day: An Eternal Salute | Collingwood Pays Respect

    Photo: Piper Al Wallace, Bugler Rob Chamber, Cadets CMWO...

    LOCAL FINANCIAL ADVISOR ARRESTED IN $1.8 MILLION DOLLAR FRAUD INVESTIGATION

    (CITY OF ORILLIA, ON)- Members of the OPP Orillia Major...

    $0 Join Fees on Now @ Our YMCA

    We're ringing in the New Year by offering $0...

    I visited 8 Chinese factories in 8 days… MIND-BLOWING!

    This was one of the coolest trips I've ever...

    John Miller explains why police can’t shoot down drones amid security concerns in New Jersey

    CNN’s Omar Jimenez reports on weeks of unexplained drone...

    A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF MUSIC IS COMING TO COLLINGWOOD!

      Hello Theatre Lovers! I am beyond thrilled to invite you...

    VIDEO | #GREATMATCH Waters Waters v Johnson Black at the Daytona Beach Open

    Watch the Women's Doubles Championship match: (2) Waters/Waters v...

    Glacial Erractic and Molecular @ Black Bellows Brewery | Saturday March 22, 2025

    A Night to Remember @ Black Bellows Brewery Saturday...

    Community invited to provide input on waterfront public piazza park

    Collingwood, ON – Exciting news for Collingwood Residents! The...

    BREAKING: Cogeco to launch wireless services in Canada

    Frédéric Perron, president and CEO at Cogeco Inc., talks...

    Keen Eyed OPP Officer Makes Vehicle Stop Resulting in Drug Seizure and Vehicle Impound

    (TINY TOWNSHIP, ON) -  An early morning vehicle stop on Simcoe...

    Joint Statement by Mayor Nuttall, Mayor Greenlaw, Mayor Coughlin & County Warden Clarke:

    Update on Discussions Regarding the City of Barrie’s Boundary...

    Collingwood is ‘On the Move’: Celebrating Bike Month

    Collingwood, ON – Collingwood residents are encouraged to get 'On...

    Taps and Tunes Rocked on Sunday by 3 Women – Focussed Acts!!!

    By Dr. Gonzo, If you are a “citiot” or just...

    CIA Spy: “This Could Spark WW3 In 2024”- China’s Takeover & Iran-Israel-Palestine

    On today’s episode of Impact Theory, former CIA spy...

    Collingwood OPP make Arrest in Recurring Fibre Wire Cutting Incidents

    (COLLINGWOOD, ON) - The Collingwood and Blue Mountains Detachment of...

    Frankie Malloy Crashes after Doom Scrolling! Let’s Find “JJ” a Forever Family!

    Our resident chaos coordinator “Frankie Malloy” is staging another...

    OJHL HALL OF FAME OPENS NOMINATIONS FOR CLASS OF 2025

    Up to five people to be inducted during spring...

    Canada’s Massive $12B Mega Dam

    The Site C Dam is a hydroelectric megaproject in...

    The Town of The Blue Mountains | Public Meeting – July 9, 2024

    Council, Public Meeting - July 9, 2024 The Town of...

    Casey Morrison Shares a Funny and Cute Baby Bunny Video

    Enjoy a smile or a laugh, you deserve it!...

    Wright/Johns vs Bright/Ignatowich at the Selkirk Red Rock Open Presented by Pickleball Central

    Selkirk Red Rock Open Presented by Pickleball Central Watch the...

    Bowling Down Barriers Fundraiser | October 5th

    STRIKE IT BIG by registering for our 2nd Annual...

    The Meaford International Film Festival | September 20th to 22nd

    The Meaford International Film Festival (MIFF) showcases award-winning films...

    OPP ARREST TWO INDIVIDUALS AFTER VEHICLE THEFT INVESTIGATION

    (TOWN OF WASAGA BEACH, ON) - Members of the Huronia...

    Why the Tech Bros Allied with Trump

    Historian Heather Cox Richardson of ‘Letters From an American’...

    Haruto Yamamoto shares “Tariffs, China and Trump’s First 100 Days in Office”

    It’s been an eventful first 100 days for the...

    Scott Galloway on Markets, Musk, and Trump’s “Weapons of Mass Distraction”

    Scott Galloway believes there is method in Trump's "MAGA-nomics"...