The majority of plastics in the ocean are microplastics those less than 5 mm in size, making them ideal for ingestion by even the smallest of animals, with implications for transference of toxins up the food chain – including into humans. As Dr Max Liboiron, a sociologist at Memorial University Newfoundland discussed in a seminar in Newfoundland last week, plastic pollution low on the list of priorities for many communities. If we are to tackle plastic pollution, Dr Liboiron argues, we need to make is visible – and charismatic.
Communicating the science of marine plastic pollution, and implications for human and animal health in a way that promotes action remains challenging. Max notes that part of this challenge lies in existing pollution laws which are based on the assumption that there is a level at which a pollutant begins to cause harm, allowing for a level of ‘permissible pollution’ to be determined and regulated against.
Plastic chemicals may not have such a level, with studies indicating the ingestion of any amount of plastic-derived chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) having adverse effects. A second issue lies in the invisibility of plastic pollution.
Notwithstanding that most marine plastics are largely out of view, the potential impacts on the health of humans and other animals is largely invisible. For example, whilst scientific data has demonstrated that the chemicals which leach from plastics are endocrine disruptors, the effects of these disruptors are not immediately obvious. Just how to raise the visibility and charisma of plastic pollution so it becomes important to people requires careful thought. Max notes that it’s not just a case of raising concern, but encouraging meaningful action. Action directed incorrectly, Max warns, can ultimately prevent the right action taking place.