{"id":15112361,"date":"2026-05-20T16:04:22","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T20:04:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.inthacity.com\/news\/lake-michigan-chicago-river-polluted-with-harmful-microplastics\/"},"modified":"2026-05-20T19:12:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T23:12:05","slug":"lake-michigan-chicago-river-polluted-with-harmful-microplastics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.inthacity.com\/news\/lake-michigan-chicago-river-polluted-with-harmful-microplastics\/","title":{"rendered":"Lake Michigan, Chicago River polluted with harmful microplastics"},"content":{"rendered":"

A test sampling of Lake Michigan, the Chicago River and other waterways across Illinois found tiny plastics present, posing potential threats to human health and damage to the environment<\/a>, according to an advocacy group.<\/p>\n

In all, 31 test sites, including multiple samplings along Lake Michigan, showed broken-down plastics in the water. Known as microplastics, these small particles are being studied by government and academic researchers for possible links to illnesses, including cancer.<\/a> Plastics don\u2019t easily break down in the environment and also threaten fish and wildlife.<\/p>\n

Plastic food containers and bags, clothing fibers, pellets used in manufacturing and many other sources contribute to water pollution, according to a report<\/a> released Thursday by Environment Illinois Research and Education Center.<\/p>\n

Single-use plastics, \u201cfast fashion\u201d trends and stormwater runoff from factories using plastic pellets are among the biggest sources of water contamination, the report says.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no silver bullet solution to address this pervasive problem. Multiple policy changes at the local, state and federal level are needed to combat this,\u201d the report says.<\/p>\n

In Springfield<\/a>, lawmakers are debating a bill that would require plastics manufacturers to better control stormwater runoff that potentially releases the contaminants into water.<\/p>\n

Illinois has taken small steps to control the pollution, including a measure signed into law in 2023 that bans polystyrene foam food containers at state buildings. Polystyrene is commonly known by the brand name Styrofoam. Some municipalities have similar laws.<\/p>\n

Other bodies of water found to have microplastics include the Calumet, Des Plaines, Fox, Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, Rock and Vermillion rivers, Busse Lake and Skokie Lagoons.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile many of the waterways sampled had little to no visual litter at the point of access, our survey found that plastic is a nearly invisible constant in Illinois waters,\u201d the report says.<\/p>\n

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