Cut back on plastics production

More than 430 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide every year. These plastics break down into microscopic particles, 110,000 to 400,000 of which were found in a liter of bottled water. The three brands of water tested were purchased at a Walmart. Much of the plastic seems to be coming from the plastic bottles. A researcher found more than 100 cancer-causing chemicals in these nanoplastics which can enter human cells.

Tap water is starting to get tested for plastic content. Water filters themselves can put plastics into the water.

Plastic particles wind up in oceans, lakes, rivers and ground water with unknown health effects. To protect against potentially adverse health effects, we should drastically cut back on plastic use and production.

Richard Barsanti

Western Springs