BPA in our oceans: Hard plastics affecting whales and wildlife

This post was originally published by Washington Toxics Coalition.

Japanese scientists have uncovered evidence that plastics are decomposing in oceans and releasing toxic chemicals. In tests from more than 200 sites in 20 countries, they discovered higher-than-expected levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in sand and seawater.

Plastic trash is a growing problem in oceans, with millions of tons of plastic swirling around in the Pacific to form a Texas-sized garbage patch between San Francisco and Hawaii. Concerns have centered on the physical harm plastic debris can have on fish and wildlife. This study and other evidence, however, are showing that the plastics in fact are not inert in the ocean and can leach toxics that can further harm fish and wildlife.

Dr. Katsuhiko Saido of Nihon University in Japan presented the research at the American Chemistry Society meeting in March. He said BPA levels ranged from 0.01 to 50 parts per million.

The blame, according to these scientists, lies with the hard plastics made with BPA, as well as with paints used to seal the hulls of ships. They say that millions of gallons of epoxy resins containing BPA go onto ships each year, and that the resins break down under ocean conditions and release BPA.

"We were very surprised to find that polycarbonate plastic biodegrades in the environment. This finding challenges the wide public belief that hard plastics remain unchanged in the environment for decades or centuries."

— Katsuhiko Saido, PhD

Last week, the EPA announced it will take some actions  to address BPA. Unfortunately, because of the weakness of current federal law, EPA’s actions amount to little more than information gathering. Information on BPA contamination of water and additional toxicity tests is helpful. But when EPA announces "actions," that should mean EPA is doing something that actually affects the use of BPA and our exposure to the endocrine-disrupting chemical.

For that kind of action, we’re depending on Congress to craft a stronger federal law on toxics.

EPA has a role to play here too. It's critical that EPA support the strongest version of this legislation, one that includes taking swift action on chemicals we already know to be dangerous.

We're asking EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to do just that and you can too. Take action here.