Page 6 - Jupiter Spotlight - February '23

Page 6, Jupiter Spotlight
Northern Notes

Dispose Of Plastic Bags Microplastics have been detected in marine organisms,
Properly So They Don’t End from plankton to whales, commercial seafood, and
drinking water. Alarmingly, standard water treatment
Up In Our Waterways facilities cannot remove all traces of microplastics. To
further complicate matters, microplastics in the ocean can
By Katie Roundtree, bind with other harmful chemicals before being ingested
Director of Finance and by marine organisms. Scientists are still unsure whether
Administration, Northern consumed microplastics are harmful to human or animal
Palm Beach County health – and, if so, what specific dangers they may pose.
Improvement District Besides the environmental aspects of plastic, plastic
Americans use about bags in particular can cause damage to stormwater
100 billion plastic bags a Primary microplastics drainage systems. Plastic bags can clog storm drains
year. These include plastic are tiny particles and waterways, threatening urban environments and
grocery, shopping, food designed for commercial creating severe safety hazards. Drainage systems blocked
storage, yard fertilizer use, such as cosmetics, by plastic bags have been identified as a major cause of
and pet waste disposal or microfibers shed flooding in countries like India and Bangladesh during
bags. Plastic bags are so from clothing and monsoon season.
lightweight and aerodynamic that even if we dispose of other textiles, such as More locally, plastic bags can get caught and
them properly, they can get misplaced. They escape from fishing nets. Secondary damage aerator motors and stormwater pumps. Aerator
our trash cans, garbage trucks and landfills and go where microplastics are maintenance costs are higher because of plastic bag
the wind takes them – into storm drains, canals, lakes, particles that result debris. Recently an aerator required repair due to damage
and eventually, the ocean. from the breakdown from a plastic bag. The bag was drawn into the motor
Plastic bags remain toxic even after they break down. of larger plastic items, of the aerator and wrapped around the spinning shaft,
They don’t biodegrade; they photodegrade. That means such as water bottles. causing the engine to freeze up and burn out. It also
that after sunlight breaks them down; they degrade, This breakdown is burnt out the electrical lines and cabling attached to the
breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces, until they caused by exposure to motor. After all of the repairs were completed, including
can ultimately enter the food chain. These tiny particles environmental factors, replacing 250 feet of cabling, that one plastic bag caused
of plastic are called microplastics, officially defined mainly the sun’s radiation over $4,000 in damages to the aerator.
as plastics less than five millimeters (0.2 inches) in and ocean waves. Stormwater pumps must function optimally to provide
diameter – smaller than the standard pearl used in jewelry. Single-use plastics proper drainage following rain events and storms. They
There are two categories of microplastics: primary and – plastic items meant are critical to many of the stormwater systems in our area.
secondary. to be used just once If debris gets caught in them, the motors can also burn
and then discarded, out and not work properly when most needed. The pumps
such as a straw or
used are submersed in several feet of water. They are not
What Makes plastic bag – are the primary source of secondary plastics easily able to be inspected from above the water. When
in the environment. Some of this environmental pollution
debris caught in the motor is discovered, the damage may
Kids Anxious? is from littering. Still, many of the plastics in waterways already be done.
result from storms, water runoff, and winds that carry
If you choose to use plastic bags, please dispose of
plastic – both intact objects and microplastics – into our
them properly and securely. Please do not throw them in
waterways and oceans. the waterways. This request not only pertains to shopping
By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., The problem with microplastics is that they do not bags, but includes fertilizer bags, pet waste disposal bags
School Psychologist readily break down into harmless molecules just like and food storage bags. Properly placing them in a secure
Jenny was an plastic items of any size. Plastics can take hundreds receptacle could help keep our stormwater systems and,
adolescent who was or thousands of years to decompose – and in the ultimately, our waterways clear.
an outside the box meantime, wreak havoc on the environment. On beaches, NPDES tip: Storms occur all year round. Make sure your
type of teen girl with microplastics are visible as tiny multicolored plastic bits yards and trees are trimmed neatly to avoid flying debris
u n i q u e n e sse s t h a t in the sand. In the oceans, microplastic pollution is often during a storm. Dispose of your trimmings and clippings
elementary bullies consumed by marine animals. properly. Do not put them into storm drains or lakes!
targeted and caused
her anxiety. When the
coronavirus caused
school shutdowns, she
enjoyed only online friendships with others having her
same interests. This reduced her anxiety but caused
social isolation. When in-person school resumed she
attended and experienced extreme social anxiety and $
school phobia so mom allowed her to return to online $ $ 489 Reg. 589 250
$
school. They contacted us for help. 39Usually 75 Up to 5 Ducts
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Jenny was like many children who struggle with serviCe Call with duCt Cleaning speCial uv light with any
anxiety from bullying and other reasons. Genetics is one any a/C repair includes free sanitizing new installation
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reason kids may experience anxiety as anxiety occurs Call for serviCe Call for serviCe Call for serviCe
within the family tree. If a family member has anxiety, 561-741-2825 561-741-2825 561-741-2825
your child is at high risk for developing anxiety. Not valid with any other discounts, Not valid with any other discounts, Not valid with any other discounts,
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to world events. Children who have a predisposition per transaction. Expires: 3/5/23. per transaction. Expires: 3/5/23. per transaction. Expires: 3/5/23.
for anxiety worry when the family excessively leaves > edwardjones.com | Member SIPC
the television news on. Children listen, watch, and > edwardjones.com | Member SIPC
understand more than some adults acknowledge. Hearing
about college murders, war, and violence can create inner
angst that manifests as kids not wanting to sleep alone or > edwardjones.com | Member SIPC > edwardjones.com | Member SIPC
a general worry that something bad will happen if they
or their parent leave the home. Dreaming up the
Dreaming up the
Peer influences also create anxiety. When you were
ideal retirement
Dreaming up the
a child there was not so much technology access but Dreaming up the
ideal retirement
now young kids are exposed to some scary games like
ideal retirement
Five Nights at Freddy’s, Slender Man or Amnesia. Kids ideal retirement
is your job.
is your job.
playing these games often develop fears that events in is your job.
Helping you get
Helping you get
the games might happen in real life. is your job.
What can you do to help your child? First, limit access Helping you get
there is ours.
there is ours.
Helping you get
and prevent your young child from playing scary games.
Second, only watch the news in a separate room such there is ours.
We’re excited to
there is ours.
as the bedroom. Third, if you recognize your child’s We’re excited to
hear from you.
anxiety read the book What to Do When You Worry We’re excited to
hear from you.
Too Much to your child or buy your teen the book, My hear from you.
Anxious Mind. Parents can read my book Stressed Out!
We’re ex
Solutions to Help Your Child. Finally, seek help when cited to
anxiety interferes with life. Sally S Stahl, AAMS™
hear from you.
Call to discuss your child. We test children through Financial Advisor
Sally S Stahl, AAMS™
college for dyslexia, learning disabilities, ADHD, 1851 W Indiantown Rd Ste 106 Sally S Stahl, AAMS™
Financial Advisor
depression, anxiety, and processing disorders. Visit Jupiter, FL 33458 Financial Advisor
JimForgan.com or call (561) 625-4125. 561-748-7600
1851 W Indiantown Rd Ste 106
1851 W Indiantown Rd Ste 106
Jupiter, FL 33458 Jupiter, FL 33458
561-748-7600 561-748-7600
IRT-1848H-A Sally S Stahl, AAMS™
Financial Advisor
IRT-1848H-A 1851 W Indiantown Rd Ste 106
IRT-1848H-A
Jupiter, FL 33458
561-748-7600

IRT-1848H-A