Plastics are everywhere.  And now we know that plastic waste breaks down into microplastics that almost never go away, and can negatively affect our health because of the myriad harmful additives that go into plastic creation.  They even say that the human brain may now contain up to a spoon’s worth of microplastics!

On November 19, 2025, Dr. Rob Hale - an expert scientist and professor from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science - was our guest speaker.  Dr. Hale has more than 30 years of experience related to the presence, sources and effects of pollutants in the environment.  He has published almost 100 peer reviewed journal articles concerning organic contaminants and is internationally known for his work.

PFAS chemicals (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are called forever chemicals because they don’t break down easily and can accumulate in our bodies, are a major problem.  PFAS chemical exposure comes from PFAS-tainted foods, water/ beverages, as well as from other sources such as weatherproof gear, stainproof carpets, cosmetics, and dental floss.  Over time, exposure can lead to a variety of diseases, including thyroid disease, liver damage, kidney cancer, and testicular cancer. 

Biosolids, which are stabilized sewage sludge, come from the processing of untreated influent into treated effluent.  These biosolids are often applied to farmland as fertilizer.  But the biosolids are now known to contain significant amounts of PFAS!  This is one way that the forever chemicals get into our food.

How can we lower our exposure to these forever chemicals?  It is very difficult, because of the overwhelming prevalence of plastics in our lives.  The European Union is proposing a ban on the land application of PFAS in sewage due to their persistent and harmful nature.  This move is one way to mitigate the problem at least to a small degree.  It would be helpful if the US could take up a similar measure.