ANN ARBOR, MI (MPRN)-- Researchers are finding tiny pieces of plastic are getting into the region's food chain, damaging or killing fish and wildlife.
A university study estimates the U.S. and Canada are responsible for 22 million pounds of plastic debris getting into the Great Lakes each year. The sun, heat, wind and waves cause the plastics to become brittle and break down into microscopic pieces and fibers.
Sarah Lowe is with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. She says microplastics are everywhere in the Great Lakes.
“They’ve been found in the surface water, through the water column, and in the sediments. And our rivers and streams are also similarly affected.”
Microplastics are hurting wildlife and even getting into drinking water.