25. Syringes and Medical Waste
Syringes and other medical waste are some of the most alarming items I’ve found in ocean plastic.
These sharp, hazardous objects not only threaten marine life—which can be injured or poisoned—but also pose a serious public health risk to anyone encountering them on beaches.
The improper disposal of medical waste highlights the intersection of human health and environmental safety.
For more on the dangers of medical debris in our oceans, refer to this CDC resource.