I am a huge supporter of the environment, especially marine life. Anyone who knows me knows how important our terrapin population’s survival is to me. And I recently discussed my concern about how what seems like a good idea in theory (wind turbines) actually do much more harm to the environment than you think. Now, I want to address harmful construction microplastics that wreak havoc with our marine animals as well as ourselves.
Addressing Harmful Construction Microplastics
After spending almost two decades as a chemical engineer, I left the chemical industry because I was disturbed by so many companies in the industry failing to take appropriate measures to combat the pollution they contribute to our environment. As a Jersey Shore REALTOR®, I understand how much construction means to our community. But it should not come at the risk of our environment. That’s why I became a member of Sustainable Margate’s Green Team.
On October 19th, I stood in front of our Board of Commissioners to present a brilliant photo essay created by Chairman Stephen Jasiecki that explained how micro-plastics on job sites are created when cutting some of the common materials used in building our homes and businesses end up in our storm drains and, eventually, out to our waterways. Once there, these non-biodegradable shards of plastic stay for hundreds and perhaps thousands of years. This happens in enough quantities that it significantly affects our local marine life. In turn, it also affects human life.
At this same meeting, I proposed an ordinance that would require construction companies to be more responsible for keeping their worksites cleaner and dispose of the debris created from their work in a more conscientious way. For example, under this ordinance, construction sites must clean up their worksites on a daily basis. That means that the white powdery “sawdust” that gets created when cutting TREX decking, vinyl siding, and other composite materials must be completely cleaned up and properly disposed of in an environmentally safe way each and every night.
The microplastics from construction debris get eaten by smaller fish. Then, smaller fish get eaten by bigger fish. After that, fishermen catch these fish and they end up on our dinner plates. The World Economic Forum (WEF) study states that microplastics have been found in 83% of tap water. People eating seafood could be ingesting up to 11,000 pieces of microplastic each year. Also to note that even construction workers who work around this dust breathe it in, creating health problems. For more information, please click on the video link above.
Sherri Lilienfeld, Apex Prime Realty, Your Source for Jersey Shore Real Estate