New Study Finds MicroPlastics in Sea Turtles Around the World

 Many people have already been aware of the dangers of synthetic fibers. Now a new concerning study has just come out regarding microplastics and sea turtles. Researchers from the University of Exeter and Plymouth Marine Laboratory, working with the Greenpeace Research Laboratories, examined 102 sea turtles from the Pacific, Atlantic, and Mediterranean oceans.  They found that in all turtles, synthetic particles were found in their guts. The most common of these particles were fibers from clothing, tyres, cigarette filters, ropes and fishing nets.  The small particles are small enough to pass through the digestive system of the turtles and not cause a blockage.  Future studies need to be undertaken, however, to determine whether these synthetic particles can cause further damage to aquatic animals. Louise Edgeat of Greenpeace, said: “This important research demonstrates the breadth of our plastics pollution problem..." “Our society’s addiction to throwaway plastic is fuelling a global environmental crisis that must be tackled at source.” One way is to eliminate the production of synthetic fabrics and start producing clothing made from natural fibers.  There are a lot of other options out there, hemp is just one!