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An eXXpedition to keep plastics out of waterways Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff 9 | Friday, August 19, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Nearly two years ago, Oakville resident Elaine McKinnon joined an all-women crew on a research sailing vessel in hopes of building her skills as a sailor. The 54-year-old psychologist was one of 14 women who set sail across the Atlantic Ocean on Nov. 16, 2014, as part of eXXpedition, a mission to study plastic contamination in the ocean and how the toxics can affect one's health. What she gained from the experience, she described, was so much more than what she had anticipated. Five days into the 18-day trip, while trawling for microplastics, McKinnon described their shocking discovery, hauling in 50 pieces of the tiny pieces of plastic so far away from land in the middle of the ocean. "From that point on, it was something I couldn't look away from," she said, after seeing the "concrete evidence" of the impact people were having on the environment. Microplastics are small plastic pieces or particles from a variety of sources, including cosmetics, clothing, and manufactured goods. McKinnon, who has been sailing with her family for 10 years, explained the tiny pieces have been broken down and degraded over the years and are in our oceans, rivers and streams. And while they are often ingested by birds and fish when they become small enough, there's an ever bigger problem at-hand, she said. Noting studies that link toxics and plastics, she said not only do they release toxins as they break down, but they also act like sponges for Elaine McKinnon other pollutants in the water. Empowered by the experience, she and another crew member from Canada were inspired to bring eXXpedition to their own communities. McKinnon and Jennifer Pate, from Bayfield, Ont. have planned eXXpedition Great Lakes 2016, which takes place this Saturday (Aug. 20). Crews, made up mostly of women, will be sailing on all five of the Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair and the St. Lawrence River to raise awareness about the link between human health and plastics. With women from a range of backgrounds, including exploration, sport, science, technology, enterprise and the arts, lead boats will be conducting water sampling and trawling for plastics, specifically microplastics, as well as chemicals and toxins. Data collected will be provided to multiple organizations, including the United Nations, to raise awareness of their presence, but also help reduce plastic and toxic pollution. McKinnon, who will be helping lead a boat from the Ontario National Yacht Club into Lake Ontario, said other boaters are encouraged to take their own vessels out, take their own water samples and submit them to Adventurers & Scientists for Conservation, a non-profit organization based in Bozeman, MT that equips partners with data collected from the outdoors that are crucial to unlocking solutions to the world's environmental challenges. see Everyone on p.11 NEW CLEANING TECHNOLOGY AvAILAbLE EXCLUSIvELY AT SpOTLESS AUTO DETAILING INC DENNIS' AUTO SERVICE s r r TM At Spotless Auto Detailing we are up-to-date with the latest technology and are affiliated with over 7 local dealers. We Specialize in OZONE TREATMENTS & DRY STEAM CLEANING Thank you for choosing us as Oakville's #1 Auto Detailer Ser ving Oakville Since 1990 O ETD Y N M B ODAM ASTEA O Y G TE Y SA ET S E DR W OM MENTION THIS LC AD AND RECEIVE WE 10% OFF DENNIS CIACCIA Owner/Operator 501 SPEERS RD. 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