Health Effects Of Plastic Pollution

In fact, plastic pollution occurs when plastic accumulates in a particular area, then adversely impacts the natural environment. This can cause problems for plants and wildlife as well as human populations—they kill plant life, endanger people and local animals. Plastics are indeed useful materials both in homes and in the larger society, but they are made of toxic chemical compounds that can make humans sick.

According to a study conducted in 2017, 83% of global tap water samples contained plastic pollutants. This was the first study of its kind to study the world in terms of drinking water pollution by plastics and thus found that with a contamination level of 94%, US tap water was the most polluted, followed by Lebanon and India. Were. For European countries such as the UK, Germany and France, the contamination rates, although low, were still as high as 72%. So, this means that people are probably ingesting 3,000 to 4,000 microparticles of plastic from tap water a year. Analysis shows that its size is more than 2.5 microns, which is about 2500 times larger than a nanometer. As of now, the health effects of dirty or polluted water are not known, but according to scientists associated with the study, if the “dispersed” pollutants are not just particles, it may cause health issues to humans. Life may be adversely affected.

Plastics are known to disrupt hormonal surges and be carcinogens. The chemicals used to produce the main feedstocks of plastics have effects on human health, which fall into known categories: neurological; cancer; Reproductive and developmental toxicity; Weakness of the immune system; Birth defects, others. Research into the human health impacts of plastic production has led to an understanding that these very complex and, most importantly, interconnected and dangerous health effects occur throughout the entire life cycle of plastics—from the well to the refinery. From store shelves and waste management to contemporary water, air, soil pollution in the human body. It is unhealthy for the human body to be exposed to the toxins that plastics release. Health issues related to plastics are at a high level because of the very high concentrations of additives used during their manufacturing, for example, bisphenol A (BPA) and a class of chemicals called phthalates, which actually make plastics more flexible and intact. Makes it transparent.

The use of plastic products results in the inhalation and/or ingestion of significant amounts of microscopic plastic particles and hundreds of toxic substances that are known or suspected to be developmental, carcinogenic, or endocrine disrupting. There are effects. The use of plastics may also be linked to public hygiene and prevention of bacterial contamination. For example, Taiwanese people commonly use plastic straws to drink every liquid from beer to milk because they fear contaminated supply chains. Therefore, the consumer should be very careful/vigilant about the leakage of chemicals in food or beverage products. For humans, it is recommended to stay away from PVC (often found in pipes) and PS (polystyrene, often used as food/drink containers).

Of these, only plastics labeled PLA would mean using sugar derived from corn or other plants such as cassava. Extensive research has shown that 99 percent of plastics are made from fossil fuels. Hydro-fracturing activities aimed at extracting oil and gas release a variety of toxic substances into both the air and water, and in most cases in large quantities. These toxic substances affect the eyes, skin and other senses as well as the nervous, respiratory and gastrointestinal systems and the brain and liver of humans. Using fossil fuels in plastic resins and additives releases carcinogens and other highly toxic substances into the air. Effects of exposure to these substances include reproductive and developmental problems, nervous system damage; leukemia; cancer; Low birth weight, other genetic influences are involved. The greatest risks are seen among industry workers and communities surrounding refining facilities, through both chronic and acute exposure due to uncontrolled releases and emergencies.

In addition to the above, microplastics can enter the human body directly, resulting in multiple health effects including oxidative stress, inflammation, genotoxicity, apoptosis, necrotic cell death, dizziness and fainting, if swallowed or inhaled, which can lead to cancer, cardiovascular The disease is associated with many adverse health effects such as diabetes, chronic inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune conditions, neurodegenerative diseases and stroke.

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