A Mouthful Of Microplastics And Fracking Is To Blame

New research found that plastics are infiltrating all parts of our environment. For decades, we’ve known increased use of plastic was a problem, yet its production increases even as the oceans fill with trash. To solve this alarming problem, we need to look at the source of plastic pollution: the giant oil and gas companies that push to produce it. 

They’re desperate to find something to do with the grotesque amounts of gas they‘ve extracted from the ground through fracking. They don’t care if that means we’re left literally eating and drinking plastic. 

Tell Congress to Ban Fracking!

Microplastics Are Everywhere And Seeping Into Plant Tissue

Two recent studies explain how plastic is mixing with our environment. A recent Science paper found that over 1,000 tons of microplastics are raining down in the American West each year, equal to about 123-300 million plastic bottles. Scientists collected samples from 11 national parks and wilderness areas, 98% of the 339 samples detected microplastics. 

These areas are often remote, and scientists conclude that large plastic particles were deposited in rain and snow. Fining tourists for littering isn’t going to get to the root cause. 

In new research from Nature Sustainability, scientists found that microplastics are infiltrating wheat and lettuce roots, and then traveling to the plant parts we consume. While for decades scientists thought plastic particles were too large to fit through plant tissue, this research shows that microplastics can be absorbed into root systems through water and may contaminate produce like carrots, radishes, turnips and lettuce. 

If microplastics are in the rain and in our plants, buying organic food and using reusable bags isn’t enough to protect us. 

We Have To Stop The Fracking-To-Plastics Pipeline

The top priority for the fracking industry right now is increasing plastics production from ethane, a byproduct of fracking. They are trying to build a petrochemical hub in Appalachia to sop up an enormous gas glut, which the pandemic has only exacerbated. 

As these companies poison groundwater in order to make plastics, it is clear that this industry is stealing our precious water resources to turn a profit and then giving us microplastics rain pollution in return. That’s why we must ban fracking to stop the plastic explosion. 

The fracking industry is on the ropes right now. At this moment we have an historic opportunity to stop it forever. Tell your Member of Congress to cosponsor the Fracking Ban Act for our health, climate and water!