Report finds microplastics at all 15 watershed sites

A report from PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center found microplastics in samples from all 15 tested sites across the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including the Susquehanna River, with more than 90 samples collected across four states and Washington, D.C. The tiny plastic fibers, fragments, films and beads can be ingested by wildlife, move through the food chain and potentially affect drinking water and human health. Advocates say the findings underscore the reach of plastic pollution, while noting that no microbeads were detected in the Patapsco River in the study—a possible sign that Maryland’s microbead ban has had an effect. They are calling for measures such as restrictions on single-use plastics, producer-responsibility requirements and bottle-return laws to reduce plastic pollution at its source.