Posted on February 23, 2022
(Feb. 22, 2022) The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced contact information this week if members of the public find yellow plastic tubing on Massachusetts beaches, particularly around Cape Cod and the islands.
The yellow tubing is called shock tubing and was used by an Army Corps contractor during blasting work for the $300 million Boston Harbor dredging project.
This shock tubing is used during rock blasting solely for transmission of an explosive charge, is inert and contains no explosive materials. Though the contractor was attentive to clean-ups of the tubing after each blast, the deep channel conditions, and frequent flow of vessel traffic in and out of the harbor, made it impossible to account for all the used shock tubing. The Army Corps has been in communication with the contractor who is assisting in clean-up efforts.
The shock tube is made from low‐density polyethylene and is considered safe for humans to touch, but small pieces can create health problems for birds or other animals if ingested.
The Center for Coastal Studies Marine Debris & Plastic Program brought the presence of shock tubing on regional beaches to the Army Corps’ attention.
Should anyone find yellow plastic tubing which could possibly be shock tubing, note the location and contact Todd Randall at (978) 318-8518 or send an e-mail to todd.a.randall@usace.army.mil.
