Plastic bags currently adorn our waterways, sidewalks, and green spaces. As we know, the careless disposal of plastic bags pose a real risk to our waterways, fish and wildlife, bodies, and its drinking water quality. The Valley's drinking water is pulled from the river, treated at our local water plants, and pumped into our homes for use. Did you know that in our Tri-State areas? 96% of the debris found along our waterways? Plastics. Animals and fish consume plastic. They think it's fish eggs, food, etc. The plastic then becomes tangled up in their limbs, causing them to choke, starve, or lose limbs due to amputation. Plastics are now proven to be 1) cancer causing, 2) damaging to the endocrine system, and 3) cause starvation by creating a false sense of fullness.

The top two items which are in our landfills? Clothes and plastics.

There are currently NO government regulatory bodies monitoring this issue. Thankfully our private institutes, colleges, and agencies have begun to. Microplastic pollution has been detected in human blood for the first time, with scientists finding the tiny particles in almost 80% of the people tested. Plastic particles can travel around the body, even inside our organs. Researchers have shown definitively that microplastics cause damage to human cells both in the laboratory and in our air. Plastic particles in our bodies are proven to cause millions of deaths a year. People unwittingly consume tiny particles via food, water, and the air we breathe. Micro plastic levels are being found in the feces of both babies and adults.

What are nurdles? Nurdles resemble small pellets, akin in appearance to fish eggs. They can be seen in our waterways. Fish and fowl often mistakenly eat nurdles thinking they are a food source. Nurdles can be seen coating our plant life along the creeks and rivers. Just this year, studies by civilian scientists from Ohio State, have shown a rapid influx of microplastics in the Ohio River. Studies in 2020 samples show 10 nurdles/sample. As of the 2022 studies, there are 100 nurdles/samples.

Freshwater studies were non-existent prior to 2020. Due to rising awareness and public concern, freshwater studies are now being undertaken by the private sector. These studies (‘20-22 ) show microplastics everywhere. The microplastics in our blood attract and bond with other toxic substances, known as forever chemicals. What are these chemicals? Bad bacteria, heavy metals, and PFA's.

Zero government involvement means zero regulations. Now that we have quantitative proof of nurdles deadly consequences, and the public is becoming aware, and concerned, perhaps that will change. These toxic chemicals and plastics are definitively linked to skyrocketing cancer rates, and spikes in deaths related to environmental pollutants

It is up to us, the citizenry, to act. Please follow us here at 'the green room' for updates, activities, and ways you can make a difference.

Blessing, CC