A major clean-up is underway along Australia’s east coast after “millions” of polystyrene balls washed up onto the sand.
polystyrene balls are “highly toxic” to marine life and other animals, with particular concern held for turtles just days into nesting season.
“It resembles fish eggs, and it’s very easily ingested by turtles,” Alison told Yahoo News Australia on Sunday.
I can see how’d they be detrimental because they would block digestive tracts and cause malnourishment due to having no nutritional value, but how are they toxic?
Polystyrene itself isn’t toxic but it degrades on exposure to UV light (the stomach acid and digestive enzymes of the animal probably does a number on it too), and when it breaks into microscopic particles it’s known to be toxic: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7193629/
There’s also likely still traces of solvents, plasticizers or other additives that aren’t meant to be ingested, especially if the polystyrene wasn’t manufactured with food safety in mind.
Shorter answer: yes, polystyrene is toxic.
They aren’t. They’re just using the word in the metaphorical sense, which, in this case, is a terrible decision, and incredibly misleading.
They sort of look like the insulation balls that were popular in the 70–80s.
You’re never gonna believe this, but…
Hold on, i’ve got to sit down in my bean bag chair to hear this!
But they…
But? BUT?!
Where it came from remains under investigation, but Alison and other authorities believe it’s likely an ocean source.
That’s some top-notch detective work right there.
“so where do ya think it came from?”
" I dunno mate… The ocean? I’m going on break."
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