What are the Environment hazards due to plastics?

Question

What can we do as individual?

Answer 1

Plastics are not bio-degradable. Which means that they remain in the system as it is. eg. Paper is bio-degradable, as it degrades by itself and does not remain as pollutant in the system.

Also, if plastics are tried to be burnt CFC gases are released into the atmosphere, which react(eat-up) the protective-ozone layer above earth which saves earth from the harmful ultra-violet rays from the sun.

As an inidividual, we should stop using plastic bags, or atleast have those re-usable bags, and try to discourage plastic usage by others also.

Answer 2

plastic is the complex material that not meant to be here when we are living in this planet . really there is no enviornmental hazard is here .the problems are only to humans and living beings.

Answer 3

plastics chook all sewage line.. when eaten by animals.. it result in teir death... to manufacture tone of crude oil is burened resulting in pollution... it is cann't be recycled... so more n more plstics will remain on earth surface increasing the unharvested area... that can be used for growing trees

Answer 4

you know how they use hundreds of plastic bags for your groceries when you shop? you should buy one of those reusable bags for them...mmmmkay?

Answer 5

Plastics are non-biodegradable that means which doesn not convert in any other form,if it buried in soil then it remain as it is.

It also creat problem if eaten by any animal because it cant be digested.

The burning of these plastics also produces harmful gases to the environment which effects the life.

Therefore it is better to stop the use of plastics .

Answer 6

thin plastic bags could be very harmful as they are non-biodegradable..........................

if thrown away,they block the roots of plants_harmful for them

Sometimes,animals like cows eat them,which block their digestive system & thus result to their death.........

Plastic is a polymer of ethylene (polythene). If created once it can never be detroyed in the earth.

you can't burn them[if you burn,they'll release CFC,which is harmful for ozone layer]

you can't bury them[if you bury,they'll be harmful for plants' growth]

you can't throw them in water[they disturb marine life]

so better use recyclable bags such as paper bags

Answer 7

Plastics are death to wildlife and even children at times. When you shop take your own shopping bag. If you don't have a shopping bag yet, ask for a paper bag and refuse the plastic. Paper is a renewable, biodegradable resource.

Answer 8

Plastic does not naturally degrade so it becomes landfill.  It also requires petroleum to produce.

If we really believe CO2 is a problem, then trees lock up CO2 into a solid form.  We should cut and replant more trees to lock up more CO2, use paper and wood products since they are really made of atmospheric CO2. Just think, all this time it was the lumber companies doing the most to take CO2 out of the atmosphere...

I am not buying any re-usable bags made by slave labor in China and shipped all the way over here.  I haven't found any domestically made ones yet.

Answer 9

plastic a harm divice of making earth warm,i know and you know too it,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,but more than half population of earth don't know it's true.it is nearabout  impossible for us to stop plastic use.

Answer 10

hey, about hazards and more, there is a blog which specifically deals officially with such things.

Just visit it i think it will help you a-lot!!

Answer 11

The plastics industry is jumping on the "green" bandwagon with a new line of "environmentally safe" products. In reality, these products are no friend of the environment.Over 84 percent (by weight) of municipal solid waste could be reused, recycled or composted instead of being buried or burned. An exception is plastic, which comprises about 7 percent by weight or 20 percent by volume of municipal solid waste. Due to technical and financial limitations, less than ten percent of plastic is currently "recycled." Furthermore, "plastic recycling" only defers the plastic disposal problem, since most plastic items can only be manufactured from virgin plastic. Recycled polystyrene foam (also known by the brand name Styrofoam) can be used to build marine docks but not to make a new polystyrene foam cup. New plastic will have to be produced from non-renewable oil stocks to make those cups, and eventually all the plastic will have to be disposed of.Recycling has not really taken place until someone buys a recycled product. Each of us needs to search out and purchase recycled products. We must encourage local, state and federal governments to buy recycled products and to pass legislation that promotes market development. We can also lobby newspaper publishers to used recycled newsprint, businesses to purchase recycled office paper and construction companies to use recycled building materials.Remember, the first rule is to avoid disposability. The second rule is to reuse and recycle.

Answer 12

Thanks for initiating this type of debate and your interest to know how to mitigate(reduce) the pollution hazard by the use of non-bio degradable plastics used.

Plastic is a by product of oil and is not a bio degradable product.  

As a responsible citizen and individual, we can avert the hazards of using plastics, by educating the society around us and practicing the non-usage of all non-bio degradable products.

Answer 13

"This Earth Is Not Our Inherited Property  - It Is Gifted To Us To Be Preserved For Our Future Generations"

Damage to the environment by Pollution all around the world has reached such an as irreversible stage and of all Plastic sure is the deadliest pollutant of all times It pollutes LAND, WATER & AIR Because Plastic is not biodegradable It pollutes land by way of preventing the rain water to seep through the soil thus depleting the underground water reserves (Water Table) and the land becomes arid is detrimental to vegetation which in turn repels the rainy clouds as a result the excessive surface water which is supposed to recharge the underground water tables gets collected on the land surface causing floods and land erosion and precious water Also the rain clouds will not be uniformly distributed causing further damage by way of floods and land erosion in the green forest and hilly areas  - In water it damages marine life (The fish would see it as food and when trying to gulp it chokes it self to death and if burnt the fumes depletes the precious Ozone layer

The only way out of it is consume less so less wastage, have a proper waste management system so that it is recycled & reused and spread awareness systematically Finally I would like to conclude that instead of spending trillions of $$s and Millions of so very precious lives of young soldiers in waging wars against our own kind around the World,  If only the citizens of the world and their so called good for nothing  leaders realizes this and put in some efforts with all their heart & soul  to prevent this man made calamity,  The world sure would be a better place to live in and if nothing is done when it is still possible to avert this man-made calamity Two things will happen for sure [1] In the very near future WORLD WAR-3 will be fought for WATER and not for OIL - & - [2] if some how we survived the wars; Nature will take its own course and destroy us and wipe off the civilization of our times from the face of the Earth

So People Please wake up on this issue and start doing something about it with all your heart and soul

"Because This Earth Does Not Belong To Us - It Is To Be Preserved For Our Future Generations"

Answer 14

plastics take nearly 12000 years to degrade and it works as a pollutant in soil and in environment. it has also carcinogenic effect also on human beings.

Answer 15

Since plastics takes a very long time to degrade they stop flowing the underground water and they stop the rain water entering into the earth which lets to the soil erosion. They contaminate the underground water.  so we should reduce the usage of the plastics bags watercans etc.,Instead we can use the easily degradable things such as papers for the substitute of carry bags etc., we should properly dispose the plastic watercans properly. we should recycle the plastic things.

Answer 16

plastics aren't bio degradable and can be eaten by animals who think they are food

Answer 17

1. What can we do as individual?

Say No to Plastic Bags



Plastic has become an integral part of our daily life……….. take for instance the plastic (polythene) bags…….. Plastic bags have made our life so easy and comfortable………

Be it vegetable or grocery shopping, or purchase of other items such as books or clothing…………….everything comes in plastic bags…………. They are light weight, reusable, water proof and very convenient to carry things……… Their usage has increased tremendously in recent years………

However, have we ever paused to think how harmful such plastic bags are………… and what effect they have on our environment?

Plastic bags cause environmental hazards by polluting our environment. Our earth is getting contaminated due to our unnecessary use of plastic bags………...

I read somewhere that some monomers used in the manufacture of plastics can cause cancer…………

There is door-to-door garbage collection in many cities……….. The corporation has put up big garbage collection bins at many places around the city……..even then, people have a tendency to throw garbage on the streets…………

Due to the growing ‘Throw away culture’, plastic bags tend to block the drains and gutters on roads and streets causing water logging during monsoon…………..The sewage may overflow and become breeding grounds for disease-causing germs and bacteria………This creates unhygienic environment, resulting in health hazards and spreading of water borne diseases.

Very thin plastic bags are banned but people still use them………I’ve seen cows roaming about in the streets eating such plastic bags along with other things……….

                                    



These plastic bags cannot be digested or passed by the cows or other animals that eat them…….….so they  stay in their stomachs…..This can prevent proper digestion of food and can lead to a very slow and painful death………poor animals…...

Plastic bag litter also affects the marine environment (lakes, rivers, oceans….)…… Many whales, seals and turtles, as well as birds are killed due to plastic bag litter……….

                                    

Recycling of plastic is a remedy……… plastic bags can be recycled but it is a difficult and costly affair………………So they are usually thrown in landfill sites……These plastic bags take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade…….breaking down into very small toxic particles that contaminate the soil as well as the water channels……..entering the food chain and posing a health hazard to man and animals……..

Therefore, it is in our interest to avoid using plastic bags as much as possible…….a little effort can go a long way………

As far as my family is concerned, we always keep 1 or 2 cloth bags in our bike and car, and use them whenever we go shopping………                                          

                                              



Initiative for this was taken by my husband……….. he started taking a cloth bag with him whenever he went out for buying anything………..he also encourages others to do the same………..most of the vegetable and grocery vendors near our place know him, as he never takes plastic bags from them while buying things………..

So friends………let strive to reduce pollution by saying NO to plastic bags…… and make this earth a better place to live……………..



Plastic - Chemical Waste

In 1860, plastics were invented by Alexander Parkes. In the past few decades, however, plastics first became mass produced. Plastics are used for all kinds of things due to their flexibility to be able to be molded into different shapes. Unfortunately, the production of plastic and chemicals can result in health hazards if proper precautions are not taken.

Have you or a loved one suffered from health problems due to was from a plastic chemical tank? Contact an Environmental Lawyer in your area today regarding any US chemical plastic issues.

The main 3 stages of how products made of plastic are produced include the following:

    * Resin powder is heated

    * The plastic is shaped

    * The plastic is cooled and the shape is retained

Plastics are made from long chain molecules also known as polymers, which originally come from monomers, which are smaller molecules. The polymers are created under special circumstances in large vessels using catalysts with specific pressure and temperature. Chemical and plastic waste can be dangerous to the environment if not disposed of properly.

The chemicals that result from plastic production are due to their sources, which for the most part, are gas, coal, or crude oil. Much of these materials come from waste in petroleum refining, according to the Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association. If you have legal questions or legal matters to discuss regarding chemical and plastic waste, it is important to speak with a lawyer.



2 . What are the Environment hazards due to plastics?

Health and Environmental Hazards

Although plastic has many positive influences in everyday lives, there have been instances when plastics have posed some health and environmental hazards. Most plastics do not pose any health or environmental hazards, but some monomers that are used in manufacturing plastics, have been proved to cause cancer. Also, benzene, a raw material used in the production of nylon, is a carcinogen (something that causes cancer). Even though recycling continues to reuse plastics, most plastics do not rot and can not be reused. Unfortunately, this will soon become an environmental problem: Where will the plastic be disposed? But, many researchers hope to find a solution to this dilemma in the future. When every plastic can be broken down, plastic will truly become the most useful product!

Political Effects

Unwanted plastic is not only a pile of rubbish, it also smells trouble.

Some countries have too much of plastic rubbish for them to dispose off. And due to the high cost of the disposal of the plastic rubbish, many resort to indiscriminate dumping of plastics. In many cases, some developed countries actually pay the developing countries to dump the rubbish in their country so that the developed countries' "backyard" would be clean of the unwanted plastic products. Sometimes, rumors spread about dumping of toxic waste and this often cause tensions between the related the nations.

Besides dumping of plastics, some countries actually incinerate the plastic waste and all the poisonous gases produced actually spreads across nations; causing serious effects such as acid rain, health and environmental effects across the borders.

Answer 18

Well plastic is a polymer of ethylene (polythene). If created once it can never be detroyed in the earth.

If buried it affects the soil as it doesn't allow water to pass to the under ground. this affects the plants and agricultural families,

if it is burnt it releases CO, CO2 and SO2 gases in the air (it is fatal for living things)

if it is sunk in the sea, then it affects the marine life. Do you know that the plastic cover that you get from a grocery shop does this every day.

Answer 19

Today we are facing so many kinds of polutions.  Plastic is oneof the deadly material which is effecting our mother nature.It is  mainly effecting cities so the people casully educated must concentrate on such type of polutions as they are educated.

            "PLEASE SAFELY GIVE THE MOTHER NATURE TO OUR NEXT GENERATIONS"