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Millions of 'toxic balls' wash up on Aussie beach prompting frantic plea to locals (au.news.yahoo.com)

submitted 1 year ago by Salamendacious@lemmy.world to c/world@lemmy.world

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A major clean-up is underway along Australia's east coast after "millions" of polystyrene balls washed up onto the sand.

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[-] someguy3@lemmy.ca 69 points 1 year ago

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.

[-] usualsuspect191@lemmy.ca 13 points 1 year ago

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?

[-] Technus@lemmy.zip 31 points 1 year ago

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.

[-] wagoner@infosec.pub 7 points 1 year ago

Shorter answer: yes, polystyrene is toxic.

this post was submitted on 05 Nov 2023

252 points (98.8% liked)

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