GBA Update Summer 2024

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The microplastic concentration in the Great Lakes equals or exceeds that of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, posing significant concerns for ecosystems and human health. A 2021 study on fish from Lake Ontario, the Humber River, and Lake Superior found microplastics, mostly microfibre, in all samples, impacting wildlife profoundly due to their ingestion by microorganisms, fish, and other wildlife, leading to bioaccumulation. The issue of plastic ingestion and inhalation affects everyone. According to studies, humans consume

an average of five grams of plastic per week, equivalent to the weight of a credit card. Although the extent of its impact on humans is still uncertain, practical solutions should be implemented to address the potential threats posed by plastic pollution. Parry Sound & Collingwood Microfibre filters offer a straightforward way to divert microfibres from water. From 2018-2022, Georgian Bay Forever (GBF) studied washing machine filters’ efficacy in curbing microfibre emissions and provided 401 volunteers in southern Georgian Bay coastal communities and Parry Sound with Filtrol160 filters. The volunteers were asked to regularly empty the filters and store them in sealed bags in their freezers. Staff weighed each bag’s wet contents, subtracting the average bag weight for analysis. During the studies, we were able to divert a total of 80.5 kg of lint. Out of this amount, 22.8 kg was measured from 63 per cent of households that provided samples in Parry Sound. The remaining 57.7 kg was measured from 72 per cent of households that provided samples in southern Georgian Bay coastal communities. Based on the range of 28–423 microfibres per mg of lint, as determined by University of Toronto researcher Lisa Erdle, this equates to 2,254,000,000 to 34,051,500,000 microfibres.

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GBA UPDATE Summer 2024

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