Fredonia State professor and researcher Dr. Sherri Mason speaking to the County Legislature in September 2015, prior to its vote on a local law banning the sale of products containing microbeads.

FREDONIA – The Heinz Family Foundation named SUNY Fredonia professor Sherri Mason the recipient of the 23rd Heinz Award in the Public Policy category.

Mason is recognized for her research identifying the presence of microbeads and microfibers in fresh water, and for raising awareness of the potential impact of microplastics and associated contaminants on the food chain and human health, resulting in state, federal and international policy change.

As part of the accolade, Mason will receive an unrestricted cash award of $250,000.

Fredonia State professor and researcher Dr. Sherri Mason speaking to the Chautauqua County Legislature in 2015, prior to its vote on a local law banning the sale of products containing microbeads.

FREDONIA – A Fredonia State science professor is once again receiving national and international attention for research she’s done on the impact plastic has on the environment.

Dr. Sherri Mason, a professor of chemistry and chair of the Department of Geology and Environmental Sciences at the State University of New York at Fredonia, has led research that has found microscopic particles of plastic (microplastics) in nearly all major brands of bottled water.

The global study of 250 bottles from nine countries found that there were typically 10 plastic particles per liter of bottled water. Each particle is larger than the width of a human hair.

Mason was recently interviewed by a production crew from the BBC, where the study was first reported.

Mason’s past microplastics research also gained attention both locally and nationally, leading to banning the sale of microbead healthcare products in Chautauqua County.

Area residents interested in learning more about Dr. Mason and her research can attend a presentation next week on March 28 in Jamestown entitled “Water Politics: Saving the Great Lakes, the Largest Fresh Water Ecosystem on the Planet.” The free event is part of the GreenUp Jamestown initiative and will take place at 7 p.m. at St. Luke’s Church.

Dr. Mason will also be a guest on this week’s episode of Community Matters, airing on Thursday, March 22 at 5pm on WRFA.

Dr. Sherri “Sam” Mason (left) and Rachel Carson

JAMESTOWN – St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and the James Prendergast Library, coordinators of the Greenup Jamestown initiative, will present Dr. Sherri “Sam” Mason, Professor of Chemistry, and Chair, Department of Geology and Environmental Sciences at Fredonia State University of New York, on Wednesday, March 8, 7 p.m. in the library’s Community Room.

• RELATED: Listen to our GreenUp Jamestown Interview

Mason’s slide lecture, “Silent Springs Eternal: A Perspective on the Life and Legacy of Rachel Carson,” will reveal Carson’s lifetime achievements as a writer, naturalist, scientist, US Fish and Wildlife Service editor-in-chief, and author. Her book, “Silent Spring” merges Carson’s poetic and scientific writing as a means to change public policy to heal Earth. “Silent Spring” has been recognized as one of the most significant nature books of all time.

A noted environmentalist herself, Dr. Mason is helping to transform public policy to heal the Great Lakes ecosystem—the largest fresh water source on the planet.

“Micro-plastics can affect fish, birds, and other wildlife if ingested, causing internal blockage, dehydration, and death in these species,” said Dr. Mason.

Fredonia State professor and researcher Dr. Sherri Mason speaking to the County Legislature in September 2015, prior to its vote on a local law banning the sale of products containing microbeads.

Dr. Mason’s team’s research spearheaded new legislation in Erie, Chautauqua County, and New York State, and contributed to Congress’s Microbead-Free Waters Act. Visit TEDx “Beads of Destruction” to hear Mason’s story.

Dr. Mason’s talk also kicks off the Prendergast Library’s county-wide Eco Read, featuring Rachel Carson’s first book, “Under the Sea-Wind (first subtitled “A Naturalist’s Picture of Ocean Life”).

The presentation provides an opportunity for grandparents, parents, and children to understand how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) play a crucial role in understanding the nature of Nature. Critical thinking and imagining, and scientific methods are essential tools for separating truth and reality from logical fallacies and fishy facts. High school and middle school students interested in biology and environmental studies are especially welcomed and encouraged to attend this presentation and to participate in the EcoRead.

Wednesday’s event is free and open to the public. The first 50 attendees will receive a free copy of The first 50 folks to show up to the lecture get a free copy of  “Under the Sea Wind” thanks to a generous grant from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. 

About GreenUp Jamestown: Greenup Jamestown is a collaborative partnership of several local organizations that is intended to unite community members who support conservation and sustainability, and who advocate clean renewable energies, economies, and jobs. The group has worked to organize a series of excellent programs to optimize teaching and learning experiences and encourage citizens to make green pledges at home, school, and work. The talks, workshops, and interactive events will be held throughout the spring at a variety of locations, culminating with an “Art Happening Event” hosted by St. Luke’s and the Jamestown Concert Association and featuring the Percussion Group of Cincinnati, on Earth Day, April 22, 2017.

For more information about Greenup Jamestown, including a list of upcoming events, visit https://www.greenupjamestown.com/ or call St. Luke’s at 716-483-6405.

Jen Maguder, Conservationist with the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, collects a water sample from near the beach at Long Point State Park on Chautauqua Lake in Bemus Point, New York. Ms. Maguder and Randall Perry (not pictured), Project Manager with the Chautauqua Lake & Watershed Management Alliance, also collected a sample from the lake’s South Basin in Celoron as part of an international study on microplastics in inland lakes

MAYVILLE – Chautauqua Lake is participating in an international study to look at the impact that plastics have on the environment.

Plastics in the environment are typically broken down into ever-smaller pieces, rather than into their component molecules, by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light through a process known as photodegradation. Microplastics are plastic pieces generally smaller than 5 mm that often originate from cosmetic sources such as exfoliating face wash or toothpaste but also from synthetic clothing or improperly discarded plastic products.

Whenever microplastic-containing personal-care products are used, thousands of microplastic particles travel down the drain, through water treatment systems, and out to our local waterways. From there they can have a negative impact on a wide variety of species, from fish to birds and land animals that rely on the fish to survive.

Fredonia State professor and researcher Dr. Sherri Mason speaking to the County Legislature in September 2015, prior to its vote on a local law banning the sale of products containing microbeads.

Much of the existing science on aquatic plastic pollution has focused on our oceans, but that is now evolving to include studies of freshwater ecosystems as well. In fact, Fredonia State professor Dr. Sherri Mason is on the forefront of freshwater studies focused on the Great Lakes. During her studies, Dr. Mason found alarmingly high numbers of microplastics in the Great Lakes whereby plastics were found in the gastrointestinal tracts of every fish species that was sampled.

Another SUNY Fredonia professor – Dr. Courtney Wigdahl-Perry – was recently contacted by international colleagues about conducting microplastics sampling on Chautauqua Lake, one of only a handful of North American sites to be included in a larger European study of microplastics in inland lakes.

Staff from the Chautauqua Lake & Watershed Management Alliance (Alliance) and the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy (CWC), in coordination with Dr. Wigdahl-Perry, collected samples from both lake basins earlier  this week.

“It is very exciting to be included in this international study which will serve to create baseline knowledge of microplastic levels in Chautauqua Lake,” said Erin Brickley, Executive Director of the Alliance. “Chautauqua County was one of the leading municipalities that banned sales of cosmetic products containing microbeads which officially went into effect February 2016 so the timing of this study coincides nicely.”

For more information regarding the microplastic sampling, please contact Erin Brickley at (716) 661-8918.

Fredonia State professor and researcher Dr. Sherri Mason speaking to the County Legislature prior to its vote on a local law banning microbeads in September 2015.

FREDONIA – A local professor who spearheaded the effort to ban the sale of products containing microbeads is one of six New Yorkers being recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Monday announced SUNY Fredonia professor Dr. Sherri Mason has been awarded the EPA’s annual Environmental Champion Awards.

Dr. Mason is an Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at SUNY Fredonia and has done extensive research on the high levels of microplastics in Lake Erie and the Great Lakes. In 2015 her research led to Chautauqua County banning the sale of products that contain microbeads.

• LISTEN TO DR. MASON’S PRESENTATION TO LEGISLATURE IN AUGUST 2015

The EPA’s Environmental Champions Award recognizes achievements of individuals, non-profit organizations, businesses, government agencies and print & broadcast media. Winners will be presented with their awards on May 13th at a ceremony in New York City.

The local law was first introduced to the Chautauqua County Legislature by County legislator George Borrello and it was unanimously approved by the County Legislature on September 23.

The local law makes it unlawful for any person or entity to sell, offer for sale, give or furnish any personal care products that contain microbeads. Anyone breaking the law will be liable for a civil penalty up to $1,000 for the first violation. For a second or subsequent violation, the person or entity would be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $2,500 for each day during which the violation continues.

It goes into effect on February 15, 2016.

Microbeads are synthetic plastic particles used to exfoliate or cleanse in personal care products. They can be found in over 100 personal care products including facial cleansers, shampoos, soaps, and toothpastes.

Fredonia State professor and researcher Dr. Shari Mason speaking to the County Legislature prior to its vote on a local law banning microbeads. She also brought along several commonly used products sold in Chautauqua County that contain microbeads.

MAYVILLE – By a vote of 18-0, the Chautauqua County Legislature has unanimously approved a plan to ban the sale of personal care products containing plastic microbeads.

The law is similar to one also recently enacted in Erie County and will go into effect in February, 2016.

Microbeads are small – some times microscopic – plastic particles found in personal care products such as soaps and exfoliates. When used in a home, they enter the wastewater systems and eventually find their way into regional waterways, including Lake Erie – which has shown to have one of the highest concentrations of microbeads anywhere in North America.

Legislator George Borrello (R-Irving) was the sponsor of the ban, saying it is needed to help deal with a growing concern on Lake Erie and other waterways.

“Tonight we truly have an opportunity to make a difference and to have an immediate and significant impact on our environment, on public health, and also on the local businesses that rely on our lakes and waterways,” Borrello said prior to the vote. “The waters off of Western New York are ground zero for the highest concentration of micro-plastic pollution. So passing this law, like that in Erie County, we are taking actions to reverse this trend as soon as possible.”

County Legislator George Borrello (R-Irving) – the sponsor of a local law banning microbead products – addresses the legislature prior to the vote on Sept. 23, 2015.

In August, Fredonia State professor Dr. Sherri Mason gave a presentation to the committee about the damaging effects that microbeads have had on the ecosystem. Following the vote, she was obviously pleased to learn the ban will likely go into effect.

“I’m extremely pleased,” Dr. Mason Said. “I’m proud that the county that I live in chose to take this seriously, and chose to listen to the science, as opposed to the lobby.”

Earlier in the meeting, a representative from the Personal Care Products Council had addressed the local law, requesting the county instead work toward persuading lawmakers in Albany to pass a statewide ban, rather than local ban.

County executive Vince Horrigan says he will likely hold a public hearing on the proposed ban prior to signing it, just in case there are any local residents or businesses opposed to it and who wish to speak out.

The committee will review a local law prohibiting the sale of personal cosmetic products containing microbeads in Chautauqua County. The law is similar to one also recently enacted in Erie County.

Microbeads are small – some times microscopic – plastic particles found in personal care products such as soaps and exfoliates. When used in a home, they enter the wastewater systems and eventually find their way into regional waterways, including Lake Erie – which has shown to have one of the highest concentrations of microbeads anywhere in North America.

Committee Chair George Borrello of Irving says the proposed ban makes sense, even though some have argued it should be dealt with at the state level, not the local level.

“There’s two parts to this ban. Number one – we can do something that is going to be effective in reducing the microbeads that are currently flowing into the lake every day. Number two – by passing a ban on the sale [of these products] I’m hoping to send a message to Albany that they need to address this issue.”

Last month Fredonia State professor Dr. Sherri Mason gave a presentation to the committee about the damaging effects that microbeads have had on the ecosystem.

Also during last month’s meeting, representatives from the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) questioned some of Dr. Mason’s findings, while also saying that any band should come from the state level and not the local level in order to ensure uniformity for companies that make the products. They also submitted for the record a memo detailing their concerns regrading the Dr. Mason’s research, as well as the proposed ban.

County Clerk Larry Barmore also said his office would incur a larger cost enforcing the ban, although Borrello feels there could be alternative enforcement methods that didn’t involve added cost to government.

If the committee passes the law, it will go to the County Legislature for its consideration. If the legislature approves the ban, it would then have to be subject to a public hearing before being signed by the county executive.

The Planning and Economic Development Committee begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday on the third floor of the Gerace Office Building in Mayville and is open to the public.

On Wednesday night the legislature’s Planning and Economic Development Committee heard from Fredonia State professor Dr. Sherri Mason, who’s been researching the impact that microbeads have had on the ecosystem of Lake Erie and other waterways.

Dr. Mason explained that microbeads are tiny, plastic particles used in healthcare products to help with the exfoliation process. She said that because the microbeads are plastic, they are not biodegradable and are so small that they pass through wastewater treatment facilities. She once they enter our waterways, they can be ingested by animals and because many contain toxic chemicals, including BPA, they are considered harmful.

Dr. Sherri Mason

“These chemicals, while they are incorporated into the plastic material, are not chemically bound to the plastic,” Dr. Mason explained. “BPA got quite a bit of press because of the fact that it’s well known that it leaches out from the plastic. So a soup can, as it’s sitting on a store shelf, if it is lined in plastic, then the BPA from within that plastic will leach into the soup. And this was the biggest concern with baby bottles and so it was technically banned in baby bottles. We also know that when plastic is sitting in the water, it acts as a chemical sponge [absorbing various toxic chemicals that may be present].”

Dr. Mason said that while the micro beads can be harmful to aquatic life, they can also be harmful to humans who may eat fish that have ingested microbeads. And she said her findings have shown that nearly all species of fish that are pulled from the lake have tested positive for containing chemicals associated with ingesting microbeads.

“Every species that we’ve looked at has had plastic in it. Every species,” Dr. Mason said. “All 25 fish species and the double crested cormorant, that predominantly feeds off these fish, have had plastic in it.”

While Dr. Mason said her research illustrates why it is important to ban products containing microbeads as soon as possible, not everyone is convinced. Also speaking last night were representatives from the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), a lobbying group that represents the interests of the cosmetic and health industries. A consultant with the group, Dr. Ian Davies, said he has some concerns with Mason’s findings.

“I think that a lot of the research that’s been conducted, the results have been misinterpreted and have been quite misleading,” Dr. Davies said. “The types of microbeads that have generally been found, there really hasn’t been enough data to link them back to our ingredients. For example, our materials are fragments, and not – in fact – spherical particles.”

The PCPC also submitted a written comments providing a detailed list of concerns they had with the research to be put on the record and reviewed by lawmakers.

County Clerk Larry Barmore, right, talks with members of the county’s planning and economic development committee on Wednesday night.

County Clerk Larry Barmore also spoke during the meeting, saying such a ban would have to be enforced by his office’s Department of Weights and Measures, which could lead to an additional cost to the county of $60,000 to $75,000 a year. However, committee chairman George Borello of Hanover said that there could be alternative enforcement methods that didn’t involve added cost to government, such as working with watchdog groups as well as interns to keep an eye out for the products.

Borrello, who’s already gone on the record of favoring a ban, told WRFA this was just the first steps in the process – although he favors acting on doing something sooner rather than later.

“I’m hoping that we can put something together to possible introduce next month,” Borrello said. “But at the end of the day its my hope to do our due diligence and create something that is effective. We could very easily create some piece of feel-good legislation that isn’t very enforceable and doesn’t have any effect. I have no interest in doing that. I want to have something that we can actually work with and that gives us the opportunity to reduce the amount of microbeads going into the lake.”

The County Legislature has the option to enact its own ban on the sale of the microbead products, similar to what Erie County has done. It can also approve a motion requesting lawmakers in Albany initiate a state-wide ban.

Dr. Sherri Mason of Fredonia State presents her findings on the impact microbeads have on Lake Erie during a Wednesday night’s meeting of the legislature’s planning and economic development committee.