Michigan steps-up hunt for microplastic pollution in state waters

LANSING, MI — The state of Michigan began testing a random assortment of rivers and streams for microplastics this year. Data from the first sampling round is being analyzed and quality-checked, but the preliminary results are not encouraging.

Basically, they’re finding it everywhere.

Continue reading the full story here.

From the article:

Elin Warn Betanzo, a former federal drinking water engineer and private consultant who played a pivotal role in helping expose the Flint water crisis, urged lawmakers to require water sampling at customer taps, not just at the water treatment plant.

“Tap water monitoring is essential — especially in communities with plastic water mains, plastic service lines and plastic plumbing,” she said. “Sources of microplastics in our drinking water after the water leaves the treatment plant may include polyethylene PVC, HDPE and PEX pipes that are becoming more and more popular.”