The study about plastic pellets spread around the world
Researchers from FRAM made a study about plastic pellets leaking into the ocean from Stenungsund on the Swedish west coast. The news about industrial pollution was published in about 60 different channels in Sweden and abroad.
In the beginning of February a study was published about millions of plastic pellets being leaked into the ocean, from the manufacturing industry in the Stenungsund area. The aim of the study was to investigate how plastic pellets end up in the environment and at the same time evaluate permissions and legislation to control the spreading.
The authors of the study are Therese Karlsson, Lars Arneborg, Göran Broström, Bethanie Carney Almroth, Martin Hassellöv and Lena Gipperth.
– I am very glad that the study got so much attention. It's also very nice to see so much engagement from environmental organisations and individuals. This type of continuous spillover is going on at many places around the world. Therefore it is positive to hear that so many accknowledge the importance to prevent spillover in the future, and that both the company and authorities express a strong urge to work actively with these issues, says Therese Karlsson.
The study has been mentioned in about 60 different channels, several of them international papers (in Brazil and Germany for example). In the article in Aftonbladet, Martin Hassellöv mentions that the current legislation should prevent this kind of emissions, for example the Swedish environmental law (Miljöbalken).
– But it is not being practised. It is first during the latest years that the issue has been mentioned when administrating the permissions, says Martin Hassellöv to Aftonbladet.
In the article, the company Borealis replies to the critisizm.
– It is good that research is being done in this area. We work all the time to reduce the spillover from our facilities, says Marcus Kierkegaard, head of the company's environmental and security department to Aftonbladet.
The researchers now hope that the regulatory authorities will start to take their responsibility.
– I was surprised to realize that the regulatory authorities totaly seem to have ignored the plastic emissions. They focus on different things. It is like the problem doesn't exist, says Lena Gippert to SVT.
Svenska Dagbladet: "Industrin läcker plast i naturen"
Aftonbladet: "Industrin läcker plast i naturen"
Göteborgs-Posten: "Läckage av miljontals plastpellets längs västkusten"
SVT Nyheter Väst: "Industri på Västkusten släpper ut flera ton plast i havet – varje år"
Tidningen Taz: "Von der Fabrik in den Vogelmagen"
Miljö & Utveckling: "Stora mängder mikroplast läcker från Stenungsund"
Lokaltidningen Stenungsund: "Miljontals plastpellets läcker ut"