MONACA, Pa. —

Local environmental groups have announced a $2.5 million settlement agreement with the Styropek plant in Beaver County, following a lawsuit over the discharge of small plastic pellets into Raccoon Creek and the Ohio River.

The lawsuit was filed two years ago by local environmental groups who claimed the plant was polluting several waterways, including the Ohio River, harming wildlife and humans. Samples taken from Raccoon Creek in Beaver County revealed tiny plastic pellets, known as nurdles, which were traced back to the Styropek plant. Advertisement

Captain Evan Clark, of Three Rivers Waterkeeper, said, "Everything in here that looks like sand isn't sand. It floated up to the top. These are all plastics."

"Nurdles often look like food to many aquatic animals and birds

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