It’s Raining Microplastics: Hurricane Larry Dropped Plastic Particles All Over NL

An outdoor seating area of Erin's Pub on Water Street was demolished after Hurricane Larry crossed over Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula in the early morning hours, in St. John's, on Sept. 11, 2021. The Canadian Press/Paul Daly

When hurricane Larry made landfall in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2021, the powerful storm brought heavy rain and wind across the province—and millions of microplastic particles originating from the Atlantic Ocean, researchers from Dalhousie University have found.

“So we have a saying … it’s raining cats and dogs,” Tony Walker, a professor in Dalhousie’s school for resource and environmental studies, said in an interview. “But now it’s raining cats and dogs and microplastics.”