U.N. concerned over plastics pollution in oceans

The United Nations Environment Programme warns in its 2011 Year Book, released Feb. 17, 2011, that phosphorus and plastics are polluting the world's oceans.

It describes pollution from plastics as, "persistent, bio-accumulating and toxic substances."

The phosphorus problem is a result of inefficiencies in farming and a failure to recycle wastewater. Phosphorus is used as a fertilizer.

Some of the effects of these pollutants include "endocrine disruption, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity," says the Year Book.

This water no longer sounds safe to drink. I'll stick to my plastic water bottles.

From the Environmental New Service's story "UNEP Year Book: Phosphorus and Plastic Pollute World's Oceans"

Here's a few sites to look at while you're sipping on your storebought water bottle:

Reuseit.com

State of California Dept. of Conservation

Bottled Water Blues

NY Dept. of Conservation