The Great Pacific Garbage Patch: An Environmental Disaster

The area is about twice the size of Texas.amounts to larger game fish.
Since it's discovery, the area has been underWhen asked if there was a solution to the
study by environmental groups and Universitiesproblem on the horizon, Thomas Morton shrugged
for it's negative impact on aquatic wildlife.his shoulders and stated there was not.
In an August press release detailing a recent 3"What is happening in the Great Pacific Garbage
week expedition through the Great PacificPatch is a global catastrophe and until all countries
Garbage Patch by research scientists from theadopt a safe plastics dumping regulation, the bio
University of California, led by Miriam Goldstein andmass in the middle of the ocean will continue to
fellow researchers from the Scripps Institution ofgrow, and until the world population stops using
Oceanography at the University of California- Sanplastic containers filled with toxic chemicals found
Diego, Goldstein commented, "It's pretty shockingin household cleaners, the problem will only
- it's unusual to find exactly what you're lookingworsen".
for".Only a global co-operation of many countries
What they were looking for is the chemicaltaking immediate action, can minimize the health
breakdown of plastic, along with the toxicdamage that will surely come from the Great
chemicals they contained, and their effect onPacific Garbage Patch.
marine life from the micro organisms and PlanktonAuthors Note:
that are subject to the bio mass, to the predatorThere has been over 85,000 new chemicals
fish that are higher on the food chain andintroduced to the American population since 1944
consume the smaller aquatic life forms.with little or no EPA regulations or testing for
The concern is that the chemically contaminatedhuman exposure. 70% of these toxic chemicals
larger fish, end up on our dinner plates.are found in Household Cleaners.
In recent studies conducted by Dr Frederick VomOrganizations such as Green Justice, a Law firm in
Saal from the University of Missouri-Columbia, andNew York have recently filed class action suits
with joint researchers from Japan, studies showedagainst 4 major cleaning solution manufactureres
an increase in onset Diabetes, Liver and Kidneyto disclose the chemicals used in their products.
disease, and most alarming, Miscarriages theyThe case went public after the manufacturers
believe to be related to oceanic fish consumptionwere asked to disclose the chemicals used and
contaminated with residue from plastic containersthey replied the chemicals were, "Company
and the toxic chemicals they contained.Secrets"
Thomas Morton, a journalist on Charles MooreWhen asked for EPA intervention, the EPA said
research vessel, the El Quido, returned from athey have tested and approved only 4 chemicals
one week stay in the Great Pacific Garbage Patchin 2 years, citing claims the Budget Office of the
and reported on the area as an "EcologicalWhite House is "Dragging their feet" and slashing
Catastrophe".the EPA budget for chemical testing, resulting in
Researchers on the vessel recorded a 6 to 1 ratiomillions of Americans being put at risk of toxic
of Plankton VS Plastic and the normally softchemical exposures.
saltwater in the area is a "Yellowish soupy mix".To help us get EPA funding for future chemical
Plastic in salt water, unlike on land, does not Biotesting, please do your part and sign the EPA
Degrade, it Photo Degrades, breaking down intoPetition to force congress to make funding
miniscule particles small enough for fish toavailable to the EPA for chemical testing on
consume. The chemical compounds in the plasticproducts used in public schools.
remain and the toxins are transferred in trace