About Careers MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Study Says There is 315 Billion Pounds of Plastic in Oceans Right Now

by Kathy Jones on July 12, 2010 at 11:21 PM
Font : A-A+

 Study Says There is 315 Billion Pounds of Plastic in Oceans Right Now

There is approximately 315 billion pounds of plastic in the oceans as of today, an ocean conservationist has claimed.

Stiv Wilson of the ocean conservation group 5 Gyres has made the first attempt to tally how much plastic is in the global ocean.

Advertisement

According to him, if one visualizes a 'super tanker' that could skim plastic 500 million at a time, one would need 630 of them to do the job, or about 17 percent of the planet's current fleet of oil tankers.

To put it another way, every American produces about 600 pounds of garbage each year.

"What I really fear is a barge full of plastic coming in under the Golden Gate bridge, the media taking pictures and people thinking 'oh good, we've solved that problem,'" Discovery News quoted Wilson as saying.
Advertisement

"I really want to see people's efforts focused on beach cleanups," he said.

"They're free, can be organized in a grassroots way, and they can make a massive difference. A hundred people on a beach picking up plastic for a weekend can clean up as much as a barge can hold," Wilson added.

Source: ANI
Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Latest Environmental Health

Airborne Pollutants That Cause Cancer Effect Filter by Indoor Plants
The Ambius small green wall, which contains a variety of indoor plants, was shown to be quite successful at removing hazardous, cancer-causing pollutants.
Uncovering the Link Between Dirty Air and Premature Death
Public health measures to prevent air pollution could lead to positive effects on patients with heart failure.
Solving the Nitrate Puzzle: Contradictory Hazards and Benefits of Nitrate
Nitrate has brought in two contradictory results, where one study states that it could be heart-healthy while the other points to it as a cancer risk.
Are We Ready for the Future Health Impacts of Climate Mitigation?
Worsened air quality due to climate mitigation efforts could lead to respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
Are We Ready to Reduce Plastic Pollution by 80% by 2040?
Reduction in plastic pollution results in an increase of 700,000 jobs by 2040, significantly improving the livelihoods of millions of workers in informal settings.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Study Says There is 315 Billion Pounds of Plastic in Oceans Right Now Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests