The Dangers of Plastics !!!

Plastic rules the world in today’s life. Look around at everything in your home, at your living room, kitchen to the bathroom, you cannot avoid products which are made from plastics. In this modern and advance life, plastics are used in our daily routine as they are readily usable, easy dispose off , cheap, strong and light factor and we seem to be unable to do without it. However, how many of us are actually aware about its harmful effects?

Since the plastics are non-biodegradable material, so they photo-degrade and break-up into small pieces until they become plastic dust, which remains in the environment. According to an estimate, more than 100 million tones of plastic is produced every year all over the world. Plus, the plastic thrown into drainage can result in blockage causes flood in local areas in cities as experienced in Mumbai, India, 1998. Another harmful effect is the particles of plastic make their way into oceans, polluting the water and is toxic to sea life. This plastic can affect marine wildlife in two important ways: by entangling creatures, and by being eaten. A recent US report concluded that more than 100000 marine mammals die each year in the world's oceans by eating or becoming entangled in plastic rubbish, and the position is worsening World-wide, 75 marine bird species are known to eat plastic articles.

The usage of plastic does not only effect the environment but we as human itself, which many people are not aware off. First of all, the plastic that is harmful to human is the effects of the plastic bottles. The plastic bottle releases potentially harmful chemicals, bisophenol A (BPA) after contact with hot liquids. For the past several years, manufacturers and consumers had been warned by the research scientists about the potential dangers of bisphenol-A, a plastic softener used in the production of polycarbonate plastic.
“ When the same new and used polycarbonate drinking bottles were exposed to boiling hot water, BPA, an environmental estrogen, was released 55 times more rapidly than before exposure to hot water” a study by The Scott Belcher, PhD, and his team found. Letting the water bottles heat up in the sun and heating leftover in the microwave in containers can cause chemicals leeching into your food and drink packaging. Even when buying food-grade plastics, caution is advised. Most plastics meant for food storage have a triangle with a number in it on the bottom. This is a code for recycling the different plastics. Each plastic is represented by a number, and some numbers are safer than others for food storage.

Besides, bisophenol A, a potentially harmful chemical is also found in the plastic that make up baby bottles that could leach from the plastic into some liquids. This type of polycarbonate containing bisophenol A can harm the development of the baby. The newborn babies are at a very sensitive stage of their development. A study have shown, the effect of dishwashing, brushing with a detergent, sterilizing with boiling water and temperature on migration of bisophenol A is dangerous to baby’s health. The best way to indicate if the bottles containing BPA is to look on the bottom or underside of the bottle for the number 7 or "PC".

Here are some simple tips to avoid the dangers in plastics. These tips are advisable for everybody especially to infants and young children. Firstly, do not reuse plastic water bottles. Once the bottles are put in the dishwasher and they have gotten scratched, this degraded bottle allows a trace metal, antimony to leach to whatever you are drinking. Secondly, it is best to avoid #7 plastics, especially for children food. Plastics with the recycling labels #1, #2, #4 and #5 on the bottom do not contain BPA is safe to use. Thirdly, use stainless steel containers – there’s a sippy cup adapter for toddlers and make sure to pick the one that does not have plastic liner. Fourthly, do not microwave or heat foods in plastic containers. This is because when you heat the liquids or food in container, more BPA will leach out. Finally, if u want to use a plastic containers, hand wash them. Make sure to wash your container by hand using a mild dishwashing soap. Avoid putting the plastic container in the dishwasher as it will degrade the plastic and allow more BPA to leach out.

The Negative Effects of Plastics

Sit back and enjoy!!!

By : Ooi Ju-May ^.~