Episode 25

​Dr. Roopa Krithivasan, recently published a 68 page report called Problem Plastic: How Polyester and PET Plastic Can Be Unsafe, Unjust and Unsustainable Materials.  Dr. Krithivasan is the Director of Research for Defend Our Health and has a background in social, ecological and conservation research.  

Dr. Krithivasan discusses the hidden health hazards from the hundreds of chemicals used to make plastics.  For instance, antimony is a chemical used in the plastic finishing process for PET and polyester (plastic bottles, clothing, stuffed animals, packaging), and it is toxic to the liver and heart.  More than 99% of PET and polyester is made from non-renewable fossil gas and oil and is very often created in plants located next to "fenceline communities."  Serious environmental justice issues have been created In these exposed communities.  Often young children and people of color face the greatest harm  to the chemicals used in the plastic plants next door.

Roopa Krithivasan calls for greater corporate responsibility with regard to reducing and/or eliminating the toxics used in plastics production.

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Episode 18

Abby Barrows is a marine scientist, researcher and oyster farmer.  She initiated the first baseline data map of micro plastic pollution in Maine in 2012 and more recently was the principal investigator for the Global Microplastic Initiative, compiling one of the largest global datasets on every continent and ocean in the world. Abby partnered with Adventure Scientists to successfully gather samples from remote fresh and marine waters around the globe. See map of findings.

Abby is the owner and operator of Long Cove Sea Farm, an oyster business in Stonington, ME, where she works to employ alternatives to plastic in her oyster farming practices.  For purchasing sustainable seafood, Abby recommends using Monterey Bay Aquarium's app called Seafood Watch.

Ways to decrease single-use plastics in your daily life:
Don't use K-cups/coffee pods, bring your own utensils, use glass containers for food storage, use bar soap/shampoo/conditioner, bamboo toothbrushes, fill your trash bags full and more.

Ways to join others in the fight against plastics:
5Gyres
​Plastic Pollution Coalition
Surfrider Foundation
Upstream Solutions

on Facebook
​on Instagram

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 Episode 17

Rachael Zoe Miller is an expedition scientist, inventor, National Geographic Explorer and Explorers Club Fellow working to protect the ocean. She is the Founder of Rozalia Project for a Clean Ocean, a nonprofit working on the problem of marine debris, co-inventor/CEO of the Cora Ball.

Rachael captained the 60’ sailing research vessel, American Promise. She has lead teams on expeditions whose scientific results are published in peer-reviewed journals and education programs that inspire thousands of people of all ages.

Click for links to related resources:
Clothes Dryers and Microplastics paper,
TED x Lowell talk/video,
Marine debris Data Card used by citizen scientists, 
Microfiber School Activity Handout,
Nat Geo Expeditions and CSI for the Ocean, (Oct 1-24, 2022)  
Sign-up for Ship-to-Shore educational experience.

Instagram handles:
@rachaelzoemiller
@thecoraball
@rozaliaproject

​Play audio, below.