By John R. Platt
7 May 2015

(Takepart) – For the first time, plastic particles have been found in the stomachs of tuna and other fish that are a staple of the human diet.

More than 18 percent of sampled bluefin, albacore, and swordfish caught in the Mediterranean Sea and tested in 2012 and 2013 carried levels of plastic pollution in their bodies, according to a study published in the journal Marine Pollution Bulletin.

All three species migrate between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean, so these plastic particles could make their way onto the plates of American consumers. The plastics found in the fish contained phthalates, nonylphenol, bisphenol A, brominated flame retardants, and other chemicals that previous research has linked to endocrine disruption, low reproductive rates, and other health risks.

A 2010 study by French and Belgian marine biologists estimated that 250 billion pieces of microscopic plastic were floating in the Mediterranean. A 2014 expedition by Gabriel Gorsky of Pierre-et-Marie Curie University found that “there is not one parcel of the Mediterranean Sea that is devoid of plastic or plastic fragments.” Another study published last year estimated that all of the world’s oceans combined carry more than 5 trillion pieces of plastic pollution.

The current study of large pelagic fish (which live in the open sea, away from the shores or the bottom of the ocean) examined 56 swordfish, 36 bluefin, and 31 albacore that had been caught in the Mediterranean. Of those fish, seven swordfish, 11 bluefin, and four albacore contained plastics in their stomachs.

The plastics varied in size from large pieces more than 25 millimeters wide to microplastics smaller than 5 millimeters. The swordfish were more likely to have ingested large fragments of plastic, while the albacore ingested mostly microplastics.

Most of the pieces were white or transparent, while some “yellowish” plastics were found in the stomachs of the swordfish and bluefin.

As large, “top of the food chain” predators, the fish could have picked up plastic that had first been eaten by smaller fish; a study published last year found that Mediterranean bogue, an important prey species for swordfish, ingest large quantities of microplastics. The researchers, from the Institute for Environmental Protection and Research in Italy, wrote that other plastics could have been ingested while the tuna chased schools of prey fish into shallow waters, where floating plastics are more abundant. [more]

Toxic Plastic Found in the World’s Favorite Fish

ABSTRACT: This study focuses, for the first time, on the presence of plastic debris in the stomach contents of large pelagic fish (Xiphias gladius, Thunnus thynnus and Thunnus alalunga) caught in the Mediterranean Sea between 2012 and 2013. Results highlighted the ingestion of plastics in the 18.2% of samples. The plastics ingested were microplastics (<5 mm), mesoplastics (5–25 mm) and macroplastics (>25 mm).

These preliminary results represent an important initial phase in exploring two main ecotoxicological aspects: (a) the assessment of the presence and impact of plastic debris on these large pelagic fish, and (b) the potential effects related to the transfer of contaminants on human health.

First evidence of presence of plastic debris in stomach of large pelagic fish in the Mediterranean Sea

Technorati Tags: plastic,pollution,fish decline,ocean,ecosystem disruption,endocrine disruptor,tuna,Europe

Source: http://www.desdemonadespair.net/2015/05/toxic-plastic-found-in-worlds-favorite.html

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Let’s hold Rubber Stamp Reps accountable

Image 10/25/2017 Nativegrl77

34 representatives are rubber-stamping this administration's policies - join the team that's holding them accountable.

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Approve my Myoelectric Prosthesis

10/25/2017 Nativegrl77

Michael Montgomery Slidell, LA

November 2, 2016, I had a traumatic amputation of my left hand. I lost my hand while trying to put out a firework with water. I didn’t know that a firework with a wax fuse could not be put out with water, the water actually accelerated the explosion. Exploding my whole hand. I am amputated at my wrist.

Prior to the accident, I was in my third year studying Industrial Technology at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. I was an active member of the Pride of Acadiana Marching Band and could play almost every brass instrument, guitar and piano. I also loved to cook and workout. Not only did I lose the ability to do the things I love but I also lost the ability to do things I need to care for myself.

This will be the first year I will not march in the marching band. Because of this, I lost my band scholarship that paid for my housing in college. I thought I would have a prosthesis by now, but due to ongoing issues with our health insurance, my life has been put on pause. I am covered by my Step- Father’s insurance plan (United Healthcare) and my secondary insurance (Gilsbar) provided by my Father. United Healthcare is saying it is not medically necessary, even though my Doctors and Occupational Therapist all say I would thrive with the Bebontic (myoelectric) prosthesis and is medically necessary. With as much insurance as I have you would think I wouldn’t be having so many problem. My secondary says they can’t pay because my primary insurance is saying it’s not medically necessary; even though a team of doctors who know me and treat me say it is.

I am back at college and trying to manage life as best as I can. I struggle with everyday things like tying my shoes, brushing my hair, dressing , cleaning and cooking. There is a list of things I can not do without assistance. Not to even mention how difficult my engineering classes are in college cause I need two hands. A basic body powered hook is not going to give me the grip patterns, and the ability to control how hard or soft I hold something.

Having this prosthesis would give me my independence back. This prosthesis would boost my self confidence and optimism toward the future. Which I truly believe would dramatically improve my quality of life and the ability to take care of myself.

My Mother and I have been fighting with my insurance for over 9 months to cover what they are supposed to cover. I just want my life back.

This petition will be delivered to:

United Healthcare

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The link between domestic abuse and gun violence ~ Shannon Watts, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

10/24/2017 Nativegrl77

Take the pledge: stand with domestic violence survivors

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and I want to tell you about the connection between domestic abuse and gun violence. We know that the presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation makes it five times more likely that a woman will be killed. When domestic abusers kill their families, it’s too often because lax gun laws leave women and children vulnerable to armed abusers. That’s why we’ve worked with half of the country’s state legislatures to strengthen existing laws or to pass new domestic gun violence laws.

But we will never stop fighting to ensure lawmakers pass laws that protect domestic violence survivors from gun violence across the country. Let us know that you’re committed to this battle: Pledge your support and stand with domestic violence survivors.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, available 24/7, for confidential assistance from a trained advocate.

Thank you for your unwavering dedication.

Shannon Watts
Founder
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

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downgrade this instead ~ BossFeed Briefing from Working Washington

10/24/2017 Nativegrl77

We are Working Washington

BossFeed Briefing for October 23, 2017. New figures released last Wednesday showed that Washington State added 17,800 new jobs last month, continuing strong growth since voters raised the statewide minimum wage. Last Thursday, a Senate committee voted to advance nominees for key Department of Labor posts who have themselves been responsible for violations of labor laws. Last Friday it was disclosed that 31 Hanford workers inhaled radioactive materials on the job in June. Election Day is two weeks from tomorrow, and you can check out Working Washington’s endorsements for City Council races in Seattle, Tukwila, and Yakima. BossFeed is taking a few weeks off, but we’ll be back in mid-November, so send us your tips to info@workingwa.org!

Downgrade this instead

Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan got a 25% raise this year.

Three things to know this week:

burrito Bank of America Merrill Lynch has downgraded Chipotle’s stock on the grounds that the company is paying frontline workers too much money. Glassdoor shows that national average pay for Chipotle crew members is less than $10/hour, while Bank of America’s CEO got a 25% pay raise this year to $20 million.

cart Numerous cities and regions have submitted bids to to be the site of Amazon’s new second headquarters, including the city of Calgary, which hung a giant banner in South Lake Union and hired people to do promotional sidewalk chalking around the company’s current headquarters. Amazon required bidders to keep details of their offers confidential, but a new report shows the company has already received more than $1.5 billion in public subsidies for existing facilities across the country.

More than 7,000 people died last year while waiting for their appeals of denied Social Security disability claims to be heard. Two-thirds of claims are initially rejected, and it typically takes more than 600 days for the government to resolve an appeal by someone who is seeking income support because they are unable to work.

Two things to ask:

Can’t we do better than this? Seattle nanny Ty Messiah, a leader in the Seattle Domestic Workers Alliance, wrote in The Stranger about why she’s organizing with fellow domestic workers. These jobs rarely offer retirement or other basic workplace benefits.

So are we still supposed to think they’re cool? Tesla recently fired several hundred workers at its factory in Fremont, California, replacing them with temps provided by a staffing agency. The mass terminations included several leaders of the Fair Future at Tesla campaign who have been speaking up about safety issues and support unionizing the factory.

And one thing that’s worth a closer look:

pick It can be hard to keep track of all the controversial nominees to various federal agencies this past year, but this piece from ProPublica on former mining executive and now Trump administration mine safety nominee Donald Zatezalo is definitely worth a closer look. During his career, Zatezalo has served as “director of mining operations” and other key positions of responsibility during accidents that resulted in the deaths of four different miners. He was also involved in a case where his company was cited for retaliating against an employee who complained about harassment, unsafe conditions, and other issues at the mine where he worked. If confirmed by the Senate, Zatezalo would be in charge of a division of the Department of Labor responsible for enforcing mine safety, training companies on best practices, and fining companies which violate the rules.