BILLINGS — A Montana environmentalist has found plastic pollution in half of the water samples collected statewide this summer.
The Billings Gazette reported Thursday that Environment Montana Research & Policy Center director Skye Borden traveled across the state collecting 50 samples at fishing access sites.
Borden says the results are meant to start a conversation on how to reduce plastic consumption and raise awareness.
Borden says plastic reduction options include phasing out single-use plastics, reusing plastics and encouraging businesses to eliminate unnecessary plastics.
Borden says communities could also initiate cleanup programs.
A 2016 federal report found that millions of metric tons of plastic made their way into the food chain and contaminated drinking water.
Scientists say long-term effects of plastic ingestion are unclear, but plastic chemicals could build up over time.