Washington, Feb 27 The Ocean Protection Council (OPD) approved this week the first strategic plan in the country to combat the presence of microplastics in the ocean, a growing problem that affects the health of the ecosystem and of people. Worldwide, an estimated 11 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, and in addition to the sea, it has also been found in human stool, lung, and placenta samples, as well as in land and plants. The OPD-approved State Microplastics Strategy identifies research priorities and preventative measures to reduce microplastic pollution, as scientists estimate that, without intervention, microplastics in the ocean will triple by 2040. Over time , plastic degrades in the aquatic environment, into increasingly tiny pieces, of which those that are less than 5 mm are known as microplastics and are easily ingested by living beings that inhabit the ocean, causing damage such as inflammation of tissues, growth failure, developmental abnormalities and reproductive complications. “Microplastics are poisoning the ocean, across the globe and off the coast of California,” California Secretary of Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot said in a statement. “We must take action on the matter and this strategy shows us how to do it. By reducing pollution from where it is produced, we ensure the health of our rivers, our wetlands and oceans, protecting the people and nature that depend on that water,” he added. Among the approved measures, it is contemplated to eliminate plastic waste from its origin; intervene in specific pathways (stormwater runoff, wastewater, aerial deposition), and engage and inform the public and industries about the sources of microplastics, their impact, and solutions. EFE arc
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