Guwahati: We become very much familiar about uses of plastic in our day today life, since morning to good night we are surrounded by plastic or polythene bags.
Lets understand in details here-
What is plastic?
Plastic are wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic material which are solid in nature can be turn to any shape of an object as once desire.
What are the Harmful side effects?
It’s not just devastating to ecosystems, killing wildlife and which has even been found in human breast milk.
The microplastics have the ability to pass through blood in human and animal membrane. That means once ingested and broken down through processes such as digestion, plastics can be transported around the body via the bloodstream to infiltrate its most vital organ.
Food packaging, plastic wrap, containers for toiletries, cosmetics, crib bumpers, floor tiles, pacifiers, shower curtains, toys, water pipes, garden hoses, auto upholstery, inflatable swimming pools can cause cancer, birth defects, genetic changes, chronic bronchitis, ulcers, skin diseases, deafness, vision failure, indigestion, and liver dysfunction.
Medical waste with PVC and pthalates is regularly incinerated causing public health effects from the release of dioxins and mercury, including cancer, birth defects, hormonal changes, declining sperm counts, infertility, endometriosis, and immune system impairment.
Food containers can cause irritate eyes, nose and throat and can cause dizziness and unconsciousness.
Scentist have found in the study that Using plastic bottle for drinking purpose can cause cancer, impaired immune function early onset of puberty, obesity, diabetes, and hyperactivity, among other problems.
Annual Plastic Production Reports:
As per the reports 9.2 billion tonnes of plastic are estimated to have been made between 1950 and 2017. More than half this plastic has been produced since 2004. In 2020, 400 million tonnes of plastic were produced. If global trends on plastic demand continue, it is estimated that by 2050 annual global plastic production will reach over 1,100 million tonnes.
Preventive measure or alternative ways:
To avoid the horrifying side effects of plastics many alternative ways are there viz-
Paper bags instead of plastic bags
Bamboo toothbrushes
Eco friendly toilet papers
Beeswax instead of Plastic Wrap
Glass or Metal containers
Recycled paper or bamboo plates
Government iniatiative:
To reduce the adverse effects of plastics on human and animals the government of India has banned 19 single use plastic items on July 1st 2022.
The 19 SUP items includes Earbuds, Plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers.
The union government even announced to discontinue the manufacturing, stocking, distribution, importing, sale and use of single use-plastic.