Research has shown widespread contamination of the oceans around the globe by the endocrine-disrupting compound bisphenol A, or BPA. The compound is released by plastic trash adrift in the ocean as it slowly breaks down and also from epoxy plastic paint used on the hulls of boats. Scientists analyzed samples of seawater from about 200 sites, and the results yielded high amounts of BPA- as high as 50ppm. As plastics break down, they release harmful toxins that affect many marine organisms, including mollusks, crustaceans, and amphibians. BPA is one chemical released and acts as an endocrine system disruptor, interrupting metabolic and reproductive processes of many organisms. It also inhibits the successful reproduction of organisms by having adverse effects on embryonic development, gonadal formation, overall growth, and it also blocks hormone receptors. Massive amounts of plastics pollute the ocean each year, and no effective preventative or clean up measures are taken. Annually, about 150,000 tons of plastic pollutions wash ashore in just Japan. Furthermore, it was predicted that because of the significant amounts of plastic waste produced, global consumption of BPA would exceed 5.5 million metric tons by 2011.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100323184607.htm
http://www.consbio.umn.edu/download/Flint_et_al_2012_BPA.pdf
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