by Guest | Jul 25, 2023 | Being Well, Featured, Move Well
Photo Credit: Lenna Coy
AUTHOR: Leanna Coy, FNP-C, Family Nurse Practitioner and Health Content Writer
How microplastics are impacting you
Microplastics have become pervasive in the environment. They are found in water, air, and the food supply. Similar to bygone eras such as the ice age, bronze age, and industrial age, microplastics are so widespread that scientists labeled the current time as the “plasticine era” which began in 1945 and continues today. By identifying a plasticine era, scientists have determined the impact of microplastics on the environment is enough to cause geological change to the planet. In Tillamook County, we are not immune to the impact of microplastics. Despite the relatively pristine nature of our beaches, microplastics are everywhere in the sand.
What are microplastics
Microplastics are solid man-made plastic or fiber particles with irregular shapes and sizes measuring less than 5 mm, about the width of a pencil eraser. There are two categories of microplastics, primary and secondary. Primary microplastics are manufactured to be small.
These include:
- Microbeads – small particles added to personal care products such as face wash, nail polish, makeup, and toothpaste.
- Nurdles – small pellets of plastics in the raw material form used to manufacture plastic products.
Secondary microplastics are small pieces broken down from larger plastic pieces over time. This breakdown occurs with exposure to the environment (sun, wind, water, heat), transforming and breaking the plastic into pieces that are hard to identify as plastic. When seen on the beach, these pieces can easily be mistaken for sand, small rocks, shells, or other materials. Other secondary microplastics come from fibers such as those used in clothing or fishing gear.
Why microplastics are unhealthy for people
Scientists are still learning about the negative effects from microplastics in the environment on the human body. Researchers determined the average person consumes an estimated 80 g of microplastics in the food they eat. Microplastics in the food comes from the runoff of water treatment plants used to help fertilize farms employed in food production. Microplastics are also now extensively found in the fish and shellfish we consume. Research is ongoing about the effect of microplastics on humans. What is known is that many of the ingredients that make up the plastics are considered toxic. Two common issues are Bisphenol-A (BPA) and heavy metals. Bisphenol-A (BPA) has been in use since the 1950s. It is a common product in the packaging of food and the manufacturing of water bottles. Scientists found BPA affects the endocrine system, which regulates hormones in the body. Several diseases and conditions are associated with substances that negatively affect the endocrine system, including:
- Hormone-related cancers (breast, testicular, prostate)
- Infertility
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Asthma
- Autism spectrum disorders
In 2012 the Food and Drug Administration banned the use of BPAs in baby bottles and sippy cups. In 2013 BPAs were also banned from use in infant formula packaging. Thirteen states have banned BPA products. Heavy metals serve several purposes when added to plastics. Heavy metals such as silver and copper create an antimicrobial effect. Fillers such as barium sulfate and calcium carbonate increase the stiffness or hardness of plastic. Lead, cadmium, and chromium have all been used as dyes for plastics. Bromine and chlorine in plastics have a flame-retardant effect. The concentration of metals in plastic depends on the final product. Heavy metals are known carcinogens, meaning they cause cancer. Cancers with known associations to heavy metals include:
- Lung cancer
- Breast cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Liver cancer
- Colon cancer
- Kidney cancer
In addition to these known toxic substances, microplastics are believed to contribute to antibiotic resistance. Bacteria that grow and thrive specifically on plastics are resistant to the heavy metals in the plastic. These bacteria are interacting with other bacteria in the environment sharing this resistance. To put it simply, plastic-thriving bacteria are teaching other bacteria howto create a shield to protect themselves from antibiotics.
How to do your part
When walking on the beach you likely see some microplastics due to their bright, unnatural colors. Other pieces you may not recognize due to their size or color. According to Oregon State University, preventing the flow of microplastics into the ocean will have the greatest impact on the environment. So while it may seem like a daunting or strange task to “clean the sand”, this is exactly what will help get microplastics out of the environment. Do your part.
- Join or organize a beach cleanup such as those hosted by SOLV
- Use reusable alternatives to plastic
- Avoid products with microbeads
- Choose clothing with natural fibers
Other wellness questions? Email us at info@tillamookcountywellness.org. For more local health and wellness information, visit www.tillamookcountywellness.org or follow Tillamook County Wellness on Facebook and Instagram.
by Guest | Jun 2, 2021 | Move Well
Tillamook County is home to an abundance of beautiful hikes, beaches, and rivers – and with summer just around the corner, you may be looking for some inspiration on where to start. In honor of National Trails Day coming up on the first Saturday of June, we asked community members what they loved about the trails across Tillamook County:
“My favorite hike is the Kinnikinnick Woods Loop at Sitka Sedge. My cousin and I used to race our horses on those trails when we were kids. I’m so fortunate that it is in my backyard so I still use it, but on my own two feet with my chocolate lab Huckleberry.” – Arica Sears, Deputy Director of the Oregon Coast Visitors Association
“Short Beach is one of my favorite spots to go hiking because It has an incredible view, it is close to my house and I can take my son to look for fossil rocks”
– Angelica Ortiz, National Diabetes Prevention Program Instructor, Tillamook County Family YMCA
“There are so many great hikes on the Oregon Coast and in Tillamook County alone. One of my personal favorites is Cape Falcon trail in Oswald State Park which is one of the last (northern) stops in Tillamook County. The hike is 2.4 miles out (4.8 roundtrip) to the top which brings you to a beautiful overlook spot of Short Sands beach. This hike can be pretty busy during the warmer months, I prefer to hike it early morning in fall or winter. There are lots of big roots on this trail, while it can be tempting to be on your phone to capture the beauty of this hike, its best to keep your eyes on the trail!”
– Shelby Porter, Public Health Program Representative at Tillamook County Community Health Center
“My favorite place? I do love the Neahkahnie Mtn hike. It’s very accessible and the view is unparalleled. I discovered it when I was a kid, exploring with my cousins who lived in Wheeler.”
– Jon-Paul Bowles, Executive Director of the Salmonberry Trail Foundation
“I love Bay Ocean Spit in Tillamook! It’s fun to walk all the way around and see the bay, the bar, and the ocean. Every time I go, it’s a little different. It’s also fun to see the perspective from the other side of the Tillamook Bay.”
– Kelly Benson, Sustainable Relationship for Community Health Coordinator, Tillamook County Family YMCA
“My top favorite is probably the Wilson River Trail: Kings Mtn Trailhead to Jones Creek Trailhead. It offers a great overview of what the Tillamook State Forest has to offer, this route takes you away from the river and the highway noise, leading you up into the greater Wilson River watershed and the Lester Creek valley, in particular. The route offers some rocky cliffs and outcroppings with fantastic views over the valley, as well as giving an opportunity to hike through several ecosystem types, including drier hillsides and wet red alder groves. You’ll feel truly alone out there, a least until you reach the Diamond Mill OHV Area. Crossing the Diamond Mill footbridge is a treat, as this wooden bridge is a beautiful work of art and showcases the gorgeous North Fork of the Wilson River. You also get a peek at the lovely Lester Creek waterfall on the other side of the river. Excellent in the rain or in the sunshine, this route is a challenge and a pleasure.” – Samantha Goodwin, NW Youth Corps, GIS Intern, U.S. Forest Service
If you decide to explore these hikes, consider going-off season or on a weekday to avoid over-crowding, remember to stay on the trail, leave wildlife wild, and pick up & carry your trash back out. It is important that we protect these spaces if we want to continue enjoying their beauty. And keep an eye out this summer for the launch of an interactive map of all the trails in Tillamook County on tillamookcoast.com.
For more local health and wellness information, follow Tillamook County Wellness on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
by Guest | Sep 10, 2020 | Move Well
Oregon’s coastline is amazingly beautiful. Many of our beaches are home to rocky intertidal habitats. These are rocky areas located at the edge of the ocean between the high and low tides. What makes rocky intertidal areas so interesting to explore are tide pools! A tide pool is a shallow pool of water left in low places along the shoreline. These pools are visible when the tide is low and covered with water when the tide is high. Many plants and animals live in tide pools which are found all around the world. Wherever there’s a rocky seashore, there are tide pools. Including here in Tillamook County!
Life in tide pools is dynamic and amazing. When you venture out to the rocky shore, look for layers of habitats. Check out the life living at the edge of the sand and then scan your eyes up along the rocks. The first thing you may notice is how much life is living in these areas! The rich diversity that can be found is astounding. Next, you will notice that the community of animals and plants change as you move from the wet, low areas to the higher (and drier) ones. The intertidal area is divided into different regions: the splash zone, high tide zone, mid tide zone, and low tide zone. Animals and plants living in the splash zone only need a spray of water to survive. Here you will find tiny acorn barnacles, limpets, and snails. This is the opposite of the low tide zone, a place that is typically under water except during the lowest tides. In these locations, you will find different algaes, sea slugs, sponges, and more. Maybe the most obvious break is between the low-tide zone and the mid-tide zone. The mid-tide zone is home to mussels, and there is a clear line that forms here. Mussel habitat is bound by the high tide zone, which is too dry, and the range of sea stars(a major predator) in the low tide zone.
When visiting the beach and tide pools, follow these easy steps to keep you, your group, and the plants and animals in these areas safe.
Know where to go! Do a little research to find out which beaches offer the best tide pools for your group. Not all tide pool areas are easy to get to. Some locations have tide pools in areas that get cut off as the water rises and starts to flood the beach during high tide. This can create a dangerous situation for you and your group.
Know when to go! Go during a nice low tide. When I go out with my family or take out groups to learn more about tide pools, I aim for 1 to 2 hours before the predicted negative low tide (-0.8 feet or lower). Check a tide book or use any of a number of great online tools to find out when the tide will be low on your favorite beach. Every location is different, but the lower the tide the better the experience. The best times to tide pool usually occur in the late spring and summer months.
Keep an eye on the ocean! Even when the tide is predicted to be very low, many things can change the water level on the beach. Local and offshore weather can affect how flooded the beach is. At any time, large waves can surprise you on the beach. Always face the ocean and watch out for sneaker waves.
Watch your step! Step carefully when exploring. The rocks are full of living plants and animals. Walk on bare sand or rocks when investigating the tide pools. Remember to protect yourself while exploring. Avoid bare feet, flips flops or shoes that easily come off. Opt for something sturdy with a closed toe and good tread. Remember, your feet will likely get wet.
Be gentle! I encourage people to explore and feel the tide pools but to touch gently using 1 or 2 fingers. Never poke or try to pull animals off the rock. This may hurt or kill the animal. Some animals are territorial and a rival may not be welcoming if you move them to a new pool.
A great way to learn more is to hook up with a local organization or agency. Explore Nature partners (like us – Friends of Netarts Bay WEBS) and Oregon State Parks offer great opportunities to learn about life in the rocky intertidal and how to safely explore. Audubon Society of Lincoln City (ASLC) and the North Coast Rocky Habitat Coalition (NCRHC) work to identify and conserve sensitive rocky shore areas for future generations. These groups offer great ways to discover more about the wonders of Oregon’s rocky shores! * alternate below
Animals and plants living in our tide pools have many interesting adaptations that help them survive. From strategies to help them not dry out to avoiding predators, the more you discover the more fascinating it gets! Explore, learn and take care of these special places.
There are many great print and online resources. Checkout a book from the library or any of these recommended sites:
AUTHOR: Chrissy Smith, Director of Friends of Netarts Bay – Watershed, Estuary, Beach, and Sea (WEBS)
Photo Source: WEBS
For more local health and wellness information, follow Tillamook County Wellness on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
