
MICROPLASTICS: Illegal Sewage Dumping Filling UK Rivers with Plastic. Professor Jamie Woodward
10/22/23 • 31 min
1 Listener
Every time untreated sewage is dumped in our rivers millions of microplastic particles also make their way into the water. When these discharges take place during low river flows, the microplastics settle on the riverbed, coated in a cocktail of chemicals and pathogens. These particles can be mistaken for food by hungry fish, thereby threatening fish populations and the wider river ecosystem.
Professor Jamie Woodward from The University of Manchester has been investigating just how deep this problem runs. It was his team's research that revealed the River Tame in Greater Manchester has the highest concentration of channel bed microscopic particles ever recorded.
Professor Woodward's research showed more than just the level of contamination. It revealed that the only way such high levels of microplastics could be found on the river bed was through the dumping of untreated wastewater outside of permitted conditions - that's because conventional sewage treatment is very effective at removing the microplastic particles from wastewater. Water companies dispute his findings, although he is world-renowned as a physical geographer with expertise in river catchment systems and his microplastic research has been published in Nature journals where peer review and editorial scrutiny are of the highest order. Two years after the publication of this work the water companies have not come up with a better explanation for these microplastic data.
DEFRA and United Utilities were invited to join us on this podcast to discuss the issue of microplastics, but both declined. You can hear their statements.
Professor Woodward asserts that untreated wastewater must be being discharged into rivers during low flows and dry weather. This is not permitted and should only happen in "exceptional circumstances". The implications of his work on microplastics are in good agreement with other independent studies of water company behaviour that have identified dry weather spilling of wastewater as widespread.
As we delve deeper into this pressing environmental crisis, we tackle the UK's consideration of a wet wipe ban and explore potential strategies to staunch the flow of microplastics at source. Professor Woodward's innovative sampling methods are put under the spotlight, and we grapple with the troubling role of microbeads from personal care products and industrial processes in contributing to microplastic pollution. We're not just here to expose the problem - join us as we champion the noble cause of cleaner rivers and consider practical solutions to this urgent issue. Tune in to this eye-opening discussion for an insight into the silent threat lurking in our waterways and how we can fight back.
Hi listener. I thought you might enjoy Don Anderson's podcast. Missing Pieces - NPE Life is a podcast that curates stories of and about people who find out, usually through a home DNA test, that someone in their family tree isn't who they thought. They also tell stories of adoptees who've found lost family, or are looking. The host, Don Anderson, found out in 2021 that his dad wasn't his dad. It changed his life. NPE stands for Not Parent Expected or Non Paternity Event.
https://www.angelawalkerreports.com/
Every time untreated sewage is dumped in our rivers millions of microplastic particles also make their way into the water. When these discharges take place during low river flows, the microplastics settle on the riverbed, coated in a cocktail of chemicals and pathogens. These particles can be mistaken for food by hungry fish, thereby threatening fish populations and the wider river ecosystem.
Professor Jamie Woodward from The University of Manchester has been investigating just how deep this problem runs. It was his team's research that revealed the River Tame in Greater Manchester has the highest concentration of channel bed microscopic particles ever recorded.
Professor Woodward's research showed more than just the level of contamination. It revealed that the only way such high levels of microplastics could be found on the river bed was through the dumping of untreated wastewater outside of permitted conditions - that's because conventional sewage treatment is very effective at removing the microplastic particles from wastewater. Water companies dispute his findings, although he is world-renowned as a physical geographer with expertise in river catchment systems and his microplastic research has been published in Nature journals where peer review and editorial scrutiny are of the highest order. Two years after the publication of this work the water companies have not come up with a better explanation for these microplastic data.
DEFRA and United Utilities were invited to join us on this podcast to discuss the issue of microplastics, but both declined. You can hear their statements.
Professor Woodward asserts that untreated wastewater must be being discharged into rivers during low flows and dry weather. This is not permitted and should only happen in "exceptional circumstances". The implications of his work on microplastics are in good agreement with other independent studies of water company behaviour that have identified dry weather spilling of wastewater as widespread.
As we delve deeper into this pressing environmental crisis, we tackle the UK's consideration of a wet wipe ban and explore potential strategies to staunch the flow of microplastics at source. Professor Woodward's innovative sampling methods are put under the spotlight, and we grapple with the troubling role of microbeads from personal care products and industrial processes in contributing to microplastic pollution. We're not just here to expose the problem - join us as we champion the noble cause of cleaner rivers and consider practical solutions to this urgent issue. Tune in to this eye-opening discussion for an insight into the silent threat lurking in our waterways and how we can fight back.
Hi listener. I thought you might enjoy Don Anderson's podcast. Missing Pieces - NPE Life is a podcast that curates stories of and about people who find out, usually through a home DNA test, that someone in their family tree isn't who they thought. They also tell stories of adoptees who've found lost family, or are looking. The host, Don Anderson, found out in 2021 that his dad wasn't his dad. It changed his life. NPE stands for Not Parent Expected or Non Paternity Event.
https://www.angelawalkerreports.com/
Previous Episode

PREGNANCY TEST BIRTH DEFECTS: Marie Lyons' Fight For Justice Against Government and Bayer
Updated: 13th February 2025
Families whose children suffered serious disabilities or miscarriage after their mothers took an oral pregnancy test prescribed by their GPs have been excluded from the government's review of redress for health scandal victims - against the wishes of the the patient safety commissioner.
A report published on Wednesday by Dr Henrietta Hughes, found a “clear case for redress” for thousands of women and children who suffered “avoidable harm” from the epilepsy treatment sodium valproate and from vaginal mesh implants but government officials did not allow the Primodos campaigners to be included.
Marie Lyon took the oral hormone pregnancy test in 1970. Her daughter was born with a badly deformed arm. But the potential risks of the damage to unborn babies had been raised by medical professionals years earlier.
You can listen to her story here:
This podcast was recorded in October 2023.
EXCLUSIVE. Government commits to reviewing new evidence in Primodos scandal for first time.
Families who believe miscarriages and devastating birth defects were caused by the NHS-prescribed pregnancy test Primados say it's a fantastic positive that the British government has told this programme it is "committed to reviewing all new evidence on hormone pregnancy tests and adverse effects in pregnancy."
The Government and pharmaceutical company Bayer have been accused of bullying the campaigners into silence, by threatening that, unless they commit to never making another claim, they will have to pay the legal bills of the lawyers used to block their joint action.
Marie Lyons took the oral hormone pregnancy test in 1970. Her daughter was born with a badly deformed arm. But the potential risks of the damage to unborn babies had been raised by medical professionals years earlier.
In our enlightening talk with Marie, an advocate from the Association for Children Damaged by Oral Hormone Pregnancy Tests, we trace the timeline of events that began with the introduction of Primados in 1958. We hear Marie's poignant recollections of her daughter Sarah's struggles during her schooling years and in relationships due to her disability.
Marie discusses the Association's High Court battle and how the Government and Bayer filled the court with teams of legal experts, dwarfing their representation.
Fifty years since she started her campaign for justice, Marie remains determined to uncover new evidence to prove her case. We hear statements from the Department of Health and Social Care and Bayer who maintain their denial of any link between HPTS and foetal harm. They were invited to take part in the discussion but declined.
In the final segment of our talk with Marie, we expose the devastating consequences of the drug company's decision to unlawfully distribute the drug in nations where abortion is illegal. Hear Marie's fears for her daughter's future health, the distressing tales of other association members, and the complexities of estimating the number of people affected. As we ponder the heated debate in Parliament and Theresa M
Hi listener. I thought you might enjoy Don Anderson's podcast. Missing Pieces - NPE Life is a podcast that curates stories of and about people who find out, usually through a home DNA test, that someone in their family tree isn't who they thought. They also tell stories of adoptees who've found lost family, or are looking. The host, Don Anderson, found out in 2021 that his dad wasn't his dad. It changed his life. NPE stands for Not Parent Expected or Non Paternity Event.
https://www.angelawalkerreports.com/
Next Episode

HOW TO LIVE WITH HEART FAILURE: BBC Sport’s Chris Slegg's Battle Against the Rare Heart Condition Ebstein's Anomaly - and His Mental Health
Two years ago BBC sports reporter Chris Slegg was told the unexpected news that he needed a heart transplant within a year. He was only 41. Married, with two children, the news plunged him into a deep depression as he feared for the wellbeing of his children.
https://www.doctors.net.uk/AngelaWalker
I first worked with Chris and his wife about fifteen years at BBC London TV News. In an emotional interview, Chris shares his experience in living with the rare condition Ebstein’s Anomaly. He wants to draw attention to the disease - as well as encouraging other people with life-changing diagnoses to seek psychological support.
We are also joined by Mina Arvanitopoulou, a clinical psychologist specialising in cardiology. Mina supported Chris as he struggled to come to terms with his illness.
Last year, Chris had pioneering surgery, which has enabled him to avoid a transplant for now. In this podcast Chris paints a vivid picture of his journey, sharing his fear of revealing his heart-wrenching diagnosis to loved ones, the emotional rollercoaster that ensued, and the unexpected lessons he learned along the way.
Mina shines a light on the importance of self-compassion, the power of vulnerability and the potential for post-traumatic growth.
Join me as I talk to two inspirational guests and discuss the under-reported issue of Ebstein's Anomaly.
This episode is kindly sponsored by Doctors net uk. With over 250,000 members, Doctors net uk is the UK’s largest professional network of GMC-verified doctors. They are a community that enables you to make connections, find support and improve your clinical knowledge and practice, all in one place. Join your colleagues today.
https://www.doctors.net.uk/AngelaWalker
As well as a being a sports reporter, Chris is a published author.
A History of the Women's FA Cup Final
https://tinyurl.com/282v6hz9
"The Team That Dared To Do: Tottenham 1994/95"
https://tinyurl.com/53appnjc
https://www.angelawalkerreports.com/
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Hi listener. I thought you might enjoy Don Anderson's podcast. Missing Pieces - NPE Life is a podcast that curates stories of and about people who find out, usually through a home DNA test, that someone in their family tree isn't who they thought. They also tell stories of adoptees who've found lost family, or are looking. The host, Don Anderson, found out in 2021 that his dad wasn't his dad. It changed his life. NPE stands for Not Parent Expected or Non Paternity Event.
https://www.angelawalkerreports.com/
Angela Walker In Conversation - Inspirational Interviews, Under-Reported News - MICROPLASTICS: Illegal Sewage Dumping Filling UK Rivers with Plastic. Professor Jamie Woodward
Transcript
Microplastics are killing our rivers . That's the view of my guest today , who's found the highest concentration of microplastics ever recorded in the bed of the River Tame in Greater Manchester . I'm journalist , Angela Walker , and in this podcast I talk to inspirational people and discuss under-reported issues . Today I'm in conversation with Professor Jamie Woodward from the Geogra
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