10.Adverse Health Effects of Plastics |
Anupriya Pathak |
Plastics are synthetic or natural organic materials that can be molded, extruded or rolled into various shapes or spun into fibers. we can also be used to make adhesives, sealants, coatings, and paints among many other products. we are either amorphous or semi-crystalline solids or highly viscous liquids that consist mainly of polymers that are made up of a large number of repeating structural units (monomers) chemically bonded to each other The oldest plastics were derived from plants and animals. . the chemical structure of most plastics renders them resistant to many natural processes of degradation and as a result they are slow to Degrade. . Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic objects and particles (e.g. plastic bottles, bags and microbeads) in the Earth's environment that adversely affects wildlife, wildlife habitat, and humans. Society has become completely dependent on plastic, yet we rarely stop and wonder how this material might be affecting our health. Toxic additives are often added to plastic in order to improve its properties. Many of these additives do not bind to the chemical chain of plastic which means they can be released in the environment when exposed to various atmospheric conditions. These additives can be absorbed by the skin, evaporate into the air or absorbed via the food or drinks we consume. It is important to know exactly what additives are used and take steps to avoid them to reduce the harmful effects of plastic on human health as all of them are highly toxic in nature. Look around you. Right now. How much plastic can you see? Food containers, plastic bottles, pens, even your phone cover, the list is endless. Despite its ubiquity, the effects of plastic pollution on human health remain mostly unknown to the majority of people. Have you ever thought about the negative effects of the plastic pollution that we’re increasing day-by-day on your health? Here we discuss 7 types of plastic and they directly and indirectly effect our life we use “plastic” as a blanket word to describe the myriad of shapes and forms that this material comes in. In reality, there are 7 types of plastic that vary in their chemical composition, purpose, recyclability, and hazardous nature. It’s important to stay informed of these variants as it helps us on our journey as conscious consumers. 1. PET/Polyethylene Terephthalate, 2. HDPE/High-Density Polyethylene, 3. PVC/Polyvinyl Chloride, 4. LDPE/Low-Density Polyethylene, 5. PP/Polypropylene, 6. PS/Polystyrene, 7. Others Keywords: plastic, hazardous nature, microplastics, toxic chemicals, pollution. |