I recently read an article about small plastic beads being found in large quantities at the bottom of Lake Ontario and other great lakes.  The article linked below wasn't the exact article I read, but it gives you an idea of the spin that is being put on this discovery.  http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/31/us-usa-pollution-greatlakes-idUSBRE96U03120130731

The following is from an email I received through some friends in the emergency services, and I agree that this is a problem.  This is republished with permission.