Small pieces of trash litter California beaches

To the editor: It is horrifying that even the smallest pieces of plastic waste can harm marine animals (“How Much Plastic Does It Take to Kill Marine Animals? Scientists Have Answers,” November 17). Picking up trash at Ocean Beach and Pismo Beach for years, I’ve seen flattened Mylar balloons (in remote locations), ubiquitous cigarette butts, toothpicks, plastic bags, bottle caps, discarded beach toy plastics and Styrofoam. These items are easily found in kelp shells, white foam beads and hard plastics in a variety of colors.

I am grateful to Sea Venture Beach Hotel for the monthly Pismo Beach cleanup and Taylor Lane. “Smoke Surfboard” documentarywhich has led to the prevention of plastic pollution.

Mark Skinner, Los Osos