Different human health problems like irritation in the eye, vision failure, breathing difficulties. It has been estimated that plastic marine debris adversely affects at least 267 species globally, including 86% of sea turtles, 44% of seabirds, and 43% of marine mammals. We also will discuss alternatives to using plastic shopping bags. Five ways that plastics harm the environment and one way. Devastating effects of plastic bags on marine life. Raise public awareness about the harm caused by singleused. Secondly, littered plastic bags are a threat to animals. Using plastic bags and its damaging impact on environment and.
Free 523 words essay on positive and negative effects of plastic for school and college students. Aug 18, 2018 the effects of plastic bags on the environment. About 100,000 animals, such as dolphins, turtles, whales, penguins are killed every year due to these bags. Some markets, such as trader joe s, strive for the use of paper and reusable bags, but most big market shopping centers refuse to switch to biodegradable bags. A field survey of the city of sanaa and the surrounding areas, yemen. Harmful effects of plastic bags the harmful effects of plastic bags are numerous and it affects human, all living organisms, soil, water, air, and the entire ecosystem. Aug 10, 2017 but limiting the use of plastic is very necessary if we want to save the earth from its harmful effects. From a vegetable vendor to a designer store, everyone seems to use them. Harmful effects of plastic waste disposal sciencing. With this post, i believed we understand how is plastic harmful to humans. Feb 19, 2018 are we poisoning our children with plastic. Mar 18, 2010 plastic is a material made to last forever, yet 33 percent of all plastic water bottles, bags and straws are used just once and thrown away.
The dioxin affects the function of the reproductive and immune system. There is no way to strictly limit the effects of plastic bags on the environment because there is no disposal method. Due to the toxic chemical composition of plastic bags, its exposure causes illnesses like birth defects, cancer, and other systemic illness plastic bags also affect animals, birds, and aquatic. Essay on positive and negative effects of plastic essayonquotes. It takes hundreds of years for plastic bags to decompose and while they do, they release toxins into our soil, lakes, rivers and oceans. While the industrial development of plastic in many ways made life easier, plastic production impacts every phase of the life cycle. Learn about the harmful effects of plastic on human health and the environment in this excerpt from chapter 2, ecology. Jun 21, 2018 90% people aware of harmful effects of plastic bags, but still use it.
Nonbiodegradable waste can last for centuries and cause environmental problems that affect more than just the land. Jan 10, 2018 plastic bags tend to disrupt the environment in a serious way. Users are also encouraged to boycott the use of the plastic straws which is. Plastic buried in soil can release a toxic chemical which mixes into the ground making it harmful for agriculture and human use, it can also seep into the ground and mix with groundwater. Considering the large scale damaging effect of plastic bags on the. Plastic is a material made to last forever, yet 33 percent of all plastic water bottles, bags and straws are used just once and thrown away. Floating plastic waste can survive for dozens of centuries and disrupt habitats by shuttling microbes to and fro. It has been estimated that plastic marine debris adversely affects at least 267 species globally, including 86% of sea. Due to the toxic chemical composition of plastic bags, its exposure causes illnesses like birth defects, cancer, and other systemic illness plastic bags also affect animals, birds, and aquatic organisms. Shovel excavator spreading sewage sludge on a field. For example, polythene used in shopping bags is nonbiodegradable it doesnt beak down naturally in landfills. This is due to the fact that disposable plastic bags are cheap. Exposure to harmful chemicals during manufacturing, leaching in the stored food items while using plastic packages or chewing of plastic teethers and toys by children are linked with severe adverse health outcomes such as cancers, birth defects, impaired immunity, endocrine disruption, developmental and reproductive effects etc.
Scientific research into potentially harmful effects of microand nanoplastics at the cellular and organ level is still in its infancy worldwide. This refers to the reduction or decreased consumptions of plastic artifacts. The harmful effects of plastic bags every once in a while the government passes out an order banning shop keepers from providing plastic bags to customers for carrying their purchases, with little lasting effect. It could promote severe health disruption in humans. Pollution from plastic materials, such as plastic bags, affect the natural order of feeding. This makes the water unhealthy for human consumption and agricultural use. Jan 11, 20 plastic impacts on the natural environment 1. Plastic effect on humans and animal linkedin slideshare. When plastics breakdown in soil they release harmful chemicals, like bisphenol a bpa, that can harm natural microorganisms that plants are dependent upon for survival 8. Houston community college systems central campus speech 11 fundamental of speech summer ii 2012 the harmful effects of plastic bags presented by. Accumulation of plastic bags in water blocks the irrigation canals and drainage networks. Plastic, one of the most preferred materials in todays industrial world is posing serious threat to environment and consumers health in many direct and indirect ways.
Even though they are one of the modern conveniences that we seem to be unable to do without, they are responsible for causing pollution, killing wildlife, and using up. Thousands of plastic factories are producing tons of plastic bags which are very popularly used by the people for shopping purposes because of its ease, cheapness and convenience of use but their very hazardous negative impact is never highlighted or, at the very least, openly discussed in a more serious tone. Plastics are being used by bangladeshi people without knowing the toxic effects of plastic on human health and environment. But limiting the use of plastic is very necessary if we want to save the earth from its harmful effects. The chemical bpa is widely added to food and drink packaging, and more than 80% of teenagers have it. Plastics that act as pollutants are categorized into micro, meso, or macro debris, based on size. With this, you can help in contributing to the environment by reducing the harmful irreversible effects of plastics on humans. Not only is the oil expended nonrenewable, but manufacturing plants burn the oil during the production processreleasing a significant amount of pollution into the atmosphere. Plastics do not undergo degradation, thus, stay in the soil for many years, which affects the soil fertility and degrades the soil quality.
Plastic shopping bags present many problems to the world. Plastic bags are now amongst the top 12 items of debris most often found along coastlines ranging from. Are plastic drinking straws harmful to the environment. Disposed plastic materials can remain in the environment for up to 2,000 years and longer. Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic objects and particles e. Introductionproperties of plasticspositive aspects of plasticsnegative aspects of plastics. Also, try and avoid coming home with plastic bags and purchase items with not too much packaging. One of the side effects of technology advances is the inability of nature to decompose substances humans create. Policy responses to plastic waste come in many forms and.
Check out our top free essays on harmful effects of polythene bags to help you write your own essay. If you have ever come in for a tour of the american recycling center then you have heard us discuss how problematic plastic bags and films are for single stream recycling processors as well as how. There is a substantial body of evidence documenting the harmful effects of aquatic plastic debris on river and marine organisms. We can reduce the use of plastic containers for the storing food and other items and use more durable materials like metal. The biggest concerns have been the impact on foetuses and young children, who have underdeveloped. Perhaps most ominously, plastics buried in landfills can leach. Watch this video to know how plastic bags lead to environmental pollution, and the. Pdf thousands of plastic factories are producing tons of plastic bags which are very. When plastic artifacts enter the drainage and sewerage system, they block the pipes and the drains causing waterlogging. Using plastic bags and its damaging impact on environment and agriculture. The impact of plastic bags on the environment greentumble. The impacts of plastic waste on our health and the environment are only just becoming apparent. Plastics have potentially harmful effects on both animals, plants and on the environment.
Heres how plastic bags impact the environment youtube. The drilling of oil and processing into plastic releases harmful gas emissions into the environment including carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, ozone, benzene, and methane a greenhouse gas that causes a greater warming effect than carbon dioxide according to the plastic pollution coalition. Specifically, i look at how plastic bags affect oceans via microplastics, their carbon. Dec, 2016 researchers at cardiff university, in the united kingdom, found that a fee for plastic bags introduced in october 2015 has led to a sharp decline in the number of shoppers who take singleuse bags at checkout, from 25 percent to 7 percent after one year. Positive and negative effects of plastic essay and speech.
Chlorinated plastic can release harmful chemicals into the surrounding soil, which can then seep into groundwater or other surrounding water sources, and also the ecosystem. First, they are manufactured from oil, creating further demand for environmentally damaging oil extraction. The effects of plastic bags on environment healthguidance. Harmful effects of plastic harmful effects of plastic. China, which banned many types of plastic bags in 2008, claims some successes. This is because its harmful effects dont spare any animal or plant in the food chain, ranging from large terrestrial animals to microscopic plankton. Plastic debris waste is often ingested by seafaring creatures, and the chemicals therein can poison all manner of wildlife. Consumer product safety commission, every year about 25 children in the united states suffocate due to plastic bags. Sometimes plastic such as polythene bags, get buried under the soil, this makes the soil toxic. Activists around the world are lobbying governments to ban plastic straws to save the environment. China, kenya and the state of california have already banned the use of plastic bags and are expected to expand the ban also to include plastic straws and bottles. Moreover, a study of 38 green turtles found that 61 percent had ingested some form of marine debris including plastic bags, cloth, and rope or string bugoni et al. Mar 06, 2018 in africa, local communities collect used plastic straws and use them to make mats and bags.
Mar 23, 2016 avoid contact with bpa by avoiding plastic wrap use wax or parchment paper, or aluminum foil, plastic food containers use metal or glass containers, and disposable water bottles use reusable nonplastic or bpa free bottles. Ocean plastic pollutionhuman health hazardspollution prevention 2. Unfortunately, babies drinking from hard, plastic polycarbonate bottles ingest roughly 10 times that amount. Perhaps most ominously, plastics buried in landfills can leach harmful chemicals into groundwater and therefore into the water supply, and the bpa in polycarbonate bottles can contaminate beverages. The need to implement various measures to save planet earth has become even more urgent as we continue to inch towards an obvious disaster that we have created for ourselves. Aug 03, 2018 in this our changing climate environmental video essay, i look at the environmental impact of plastic bags. Look for bpa free on the label of products while this is not a guarantee of safety, it at least limits bpa exposure. While there are many objections to the banning of plastic bags based solely on their convenience, the damage to the environment needs to be controlled. Impact of national bans and levies on plastic bag usage. Harmful effects from use of polythene bags healthy living. What are the effects of plastic bags on the environment. Another remedy for environmental pollution caused by plastic straws is placing a ban on their production and use. Once they become litter, plastic bags find their way into our waterways, parks, beaches, and streets. The harmful effects of plastic on human health and the.
Due to nonbiodegradable nature they cause hazardous negative impact on the. Exposure to harmful chemicals during manufacturing, leaching in the stored food items while using plastic packages or chewing of. Plastic bags are very popular with both retailers as well. Not banned but reduce the production of the plastic, so that we dont easily waste it. Avoid contact with bpa by avoiding plastic wrap use wax or parchment paper, or aluminum foil, plastic food containers use metal or glass containers, and disposable water bottles use reusable nonplastic or bpa free bottles. Plastic is one of the most important things in the modern life of human being. This can cause a range of potentially harmful effects on the species that drink the water. Burning of plastic bags causes the emission of chlorinedioxide, carbon dioxide, dioxin, other gaseous compounds, acids and many harmful toxic compounds. Plastic bags pose danger to the environment and marine organisms when they ex. Its damaging impact on environment and agriculture. Plastics are inexpensive and durable, and as a result levels of plastic production by. When plastics breakdown in soil they release harmful chemicals, like bisphenol a bpa, that can harm natural microorganisms that. Pdf using plastic bags and its damaging impact on environment. Right from the kitchen containers to home carpet to shoe soles, this wonderful material is everywhere to be seen.
The effects of plastic bags on the environment are really quite devastating. It is cheap as compared to other materials and has more strength. Land plastic pollutionair plastic pollutionwater plastic pollution. They get into soil and slowly release toxic chemicals. Polythene bags eventually break down into small particles resembling plankton, one of the main animal food sources. May 07, 2018 harmful effects of plastic bags on plants even plants are not protected from the harm caused by bags. With more and more alarm bells ringing about the suspected health risks of plastic, this new scientific research is more urgently needed than ever. Drinking water, soda, various food products and even condiments come in plastic bottles. Plastic bags are almost not biodegradable, since they do not decompose during the time span of human lives. For example, whales and sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for squid, and birds often mistake plastic pellets for fish eggs. Plastic bags are very popular with both retailers as well as consumers because they are cheap, strong, lightweight. Moreover, a study of 38 green turtles found that 61 percent had ingested some form of marine debris including plastic bags.
And, if they are burned, they infuse the air with toxic fumes. The worst effects of plastic bags that cause environmental. Harmful effects of plastic bags on health and environment. Even after animals bodies decompose, the plastic bags stay intact, and another animal can get hurt. Plastic is a highly useful material and its applications are expected to increase as more new products and plastics are. Government bans on lightweight plastic shopping bags have spread in recent years amid fears about plastics negative impact on the environment. Plastic is an indispensable part of everyday human life. Disposable shopping bags are convenient, but they are a major source of waste and pollution in our society. Study the study reflected that while over 85% of the respondents were aware of the plastic usage ban and the harmful effects of plastic on the environment. Disposable plastic bags are an environmental problem for several reasons.
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