Environmental_Hazards_of_Plastics_with_Reference_to_Polythene

A STUDY ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS OF PLASTICS WITH REFERENCE TO POLYTHENE INTODUCTION The world faces enormous environmental challenges today. We are reducing the available oxygen by 10%. In the globalized context, ’USE and THROW’ culture has seeped into even the ordinary people. The life style, food habits, relationships have been changed. The eco-system and nature have been totally damaged by mankind. In our closest environment, the plastics exist in the form of furniture, cups, bags, food and drink containers etc. Our main concern is the plastic pollutants, like plastic biscuit boxes, quencher bottles, soft drink cans, sweet wrappers, polythene bags and other form of plastics. These serve many purposes but are now the waste material. Accumulation of such wastes can results in hazardous effects to both living beings and to the green life. Therefore the present study is under taken to bring out the effect of plastic hazards to the limelight to public health and how to manage these dreadful plastics into better way of life. HISTORY OF PLASTICS Plastic had an inauspicious birth. An Englishman, Alexander Parkes, looking for collodion in his medicine cabinet to staunch a wound, discovered that it had gelled into a tough rubbery substance. Parkesine, the first synthetic plastic, was launched in 1865, and the Xylonite company was formed a year later. In the USA, the Hyatt brothers were working on the same lines, and invented a similar material, which they called celluloid. The year was 1869. In 1877, the Hyatt Company and Xylonite merged into the British Xylonite Company, which exists today as BXL Plastics Ltd. The man who influenced the plastics industry more than any other, however, was a Belgian, Leo Beakland, who immigrated to the USA in 1889 to better use his talents. In 1907 he invented Bakelite which would dominate plastics for the next 50 years. By 1930, gramophone records, billiard balls (originally made from elephant tusks!), telephones, camera cases, radios and chairs were all made of the new super plastic. GROUTH AND RESPONSIBILITIES The growth of the plastic industry is comparatively too high. Packaging, electronic, automobile, aeronautical and defense, consumer durables, household articles, furniture and irrigation are said to be important areas of demand. Truth is, in this crowded age, some plastics are a bit too cheap and disposable, and much too durable. We want our distant descendants to remember us by the Golden Gate Bridge, the Empire State Building, not by the five billion everlasting Styrofoam cups that are tossed away by Americans every year, or the thousands of tons of plastic bottles, bags, and wrappers, hurled from speeding cars to float forever across the face of the earth. I’m an optimist, though. Scientists are already designing plastics that will simulate nature and return their substance to the earth. Recycling is also gaining momentum, and plastic can be used over and over, remolded to form new food and drink containers, waterproof bags, carpets, industrial paints, flower pots, fences, benches, industrial pallets, and other products. In 1994, 565 million pounds of plastic bottles were recycled, from about 2.5 billion pounds produced. The figure for recycling could probably be bumped up to a billion pounds. And, as with most other procedures involving plastic, recycling is fairly easy. AN EAGLE VIEW ON PLASTICS AND POLYTHENE Plastics form an integral part of the solid waste. The composition of the solid waste varies according to various factors. Since plastic is not a bio-degradable one it should be properly disposed. Thrown away polythene and teacups are seen everywhere. Nobody think of from where does it come from and where would it go. In the long run the non degradable polythene will form a layer and prevents water to percolate in to the soil. It also radiates heat and promote global warming. Throwing away polythene on the surface is as bad as burning. Having a glance on the degradation period one can figure out strength of plastic waste. S. No. Wastages Degradation period 1. Banana skin 3-4weeks 2. Paper bags 1 month 3. Rages 5 months 4. Woolen shaker 1 year 5. Tree 10-15 years 6. Leather shaker 40-50 years 7. Tin container 50-100 years 8. Aluminium container 200-500 years 9. Plastics Million years TYPES OF PLASTICS There are many different types of plastics made every day, but these are the two main types of plastics. 1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE) Polyethylene terephthalate is a plastic resin of the polyester family that is used to make beverage, food and other liquid containers. It is also one of the most important raw materials used in man-made fibers. It may exist both as an amorphous (transparent) and as a semi-crystalline (opaque and white) material. Uses of PETE PETE can be semi-rigid to rigid, depending on its thickness, and is very lightweight. It makes a good gas and fair moisture barrier, as well as a barrier to alcohol (requires additional "Barrier" treatment) and solvents. It is strong and impact-resistant. It is naturally colorless and transparent. When filled with glass particles or fibers, it becomes significantly stiffer and more durable. This glass-filled plastic, in a semi-crystalline formulation, is sold under the tradename Rynite. 2. High-density Polyethylene (HDPE) High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a polyethylene thermoplastic made from takes 1.75 kilograms of petroleum (in terms of energy and raw materials) to make one kilogram of HDPE. Uses of HDPE High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is used for many packaging applications because it provides excellent moisture barrier properties and chemical resistance. DRASTIC AND DEADFUL EFFECTS OF POLYTHENE Invention of polythene, everybody might have thought it will be boon for mankind, society and nature. But it is not so. • Polythene is a carbon compound. It produces many health hazards. The colour ingredients in polythene causes bone abnormalities and can damage the kidneys and arteries. • People working in polythene manufacturing industries suffer from skin and breathing problems. • Animals suffer when they consume polythene bags along with food. Some even die because of this. • Environmental hazards crop up as polythene is non-bio gradable. Air and water too get polluted because of this. • Polyeethene threatens the life in the water bodies. The polyethene articles(e.g. six pack rings) affects the survival of animals the aquatic and marine eco systems. • Polyethene is also likele to clog the drains causing problems in the water flow of the pipes. The pipe blockages would cause flooding and the free flow of water is disturbed. • Polyethene is harmful for animals if swallowed. It can accumulate in the bowels which ultimately becomes lethal to the animal. • In most households poly bags are used to preserve food items. Reused bag may be contaminated by materials harmful to human health. • It may prevent rain water from seeping into earth and may cause soil pollution and makes it unfertile. When burnt it emits noxious fumes which pollute the air we breath. • If polythene bags are burned for disposal, they release deadly toxics — like dioxin and furans — as they are made up of chlorinated compounds. The effects of these compounds on human health are well-documented. • According to the Australian Department of Environment and Water Resources, dioxins are one of the causes of chloracne, a severe skin disease with acne-like lesions occurring on the face and upper body. Other skin problems include rashes, discoloration, and excessive body hair. Its a great destruction of the natural appearance of a person. RESOLUTION TO STUDENTS 1. We can suggest shopkeepers to give the stuff we are buying in paper bags, if possible, as paper is biodegradable. 2. We can carry our own cloth or jute bags along while going for shopping. 3. At places where it's not possible to avoid the use of plastic bags, we can use the same plastic bag for maximum number of times. If we all give it an honest try, we can contribute a lot in saving our environment! QUICK GUIDE TO WHAT THE RECYCLE CODES STAND FOR: 1. Polyethylene Terephtalate (PET, PETE): Clear plastic typically used for soft drink, water, juice, sports drinks and condiments bottles as well as food jars for such products as peanut butter and jelly; and in frozen food packaging. PET can be recycled into fiber for carpets, clothing, and tote bags. It can also be re-used for food and beverage bottles. This is the most commonly used plastic because it is inexpensive and easy to recycle being widely accepted by most curbside recycling programs. 2. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE): Used for food products with a short shelf life such as bottled milk. Because it’s more chemical-resistant than PET and resistant to most solvents it’s also used for household cleaners including laundry detergent, shampoo. HDPE is also accepted by most curbside recycling programs and is recycled into bottles for non-food items including motor oil and antifreeze and can be used to create plastic lumber, flowerpots, and recycling bins. 3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC, Vinyl): You probably won’t find this one on any of your household items because it is typically used to make packaging products, shrink-wrap, window frames, fencing, and decking. it can be recycled into pipes, fencing, decking, floor tiles, traffic cones, garden hoses, and packaging products. It is not commonly accepted by curbside recycling programs but it is not a common household waste product anyway. 4. Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE): If you’ve made the switch to reusable shopping bags then you’ve already reduced your consumption of LDPE. Typically used for the protective plastic covering on dry cleaning, newspapers, breads, frozen foods and the lids on your Starbucks of Jamba Juice it is probably in the top 5 of plastics we use daily. Unfortunately LDPE is not commonly accepted by curbside recycling programs but some supermarkets and local hardware stores like ACE Hardware have started collecting plastic grocery bags for recycling. LDPE is recycled into envelopes, garbage can liners, trashcans and floor tile. 5. Polypropylene (PP): If the contents are hot then then the container like those for takeout foods is probably PP-based. In your refrigerator, the yogurt and margerine containers are PP-based. This is one that not all curbside recycling programs accept so check with your local waste management authority before throwing it into your household recycling bin. PP is recycled into automobile parts, such as turn signal lights; brooms; bicycle racks; and trays. 6. Polystyrene (PS): We all recognize PS easily and see it often in those annoying packing peanuts and other packing materials that keep the products we buy online from being squished during the shipping process. There are eco-friendly alternatives available so take the time to mail your favorite online retailers and request that they switch to eco-friendly packing options. If you use plastic plates, cups and ctlery it is likely that these PS-based. Again there are eco-friendly alternatives if reducing the amount of plastic that ends up in our landfills is important to you then look for those. Not all curbside recycling programs accept PS which can be recycled into mouldings and license plate frames. 7. Other: Here is where it gets tricky – some of the most commonly used household containers which people assume can be easily recycled, like juice and ketchup bottles, are actually not made of the typical PET and so will not be accepted by most curbside recycling programs. CAN WE RECYCLE' We can all start small by recycling the food and beverage bottles and containers we throw out on a daily basis but if you really want to be vigilant about eliminating the plastic you use and toss out then you have to be more vigilant and look for ways to avoid those pesky plastics that are pervasive in our lives. One relatively easy change to make is to take a reusable garment bag to your dry cleaners and ask them to use that instead of covering every item in plastic and while you’re at it don’t forget to recycle those wire hangers by taking them back with you each time. A change which may require more effort it is to use homemade house cleaning products (baking soda and vinegar are popular ingredients) and place them into glass spritz bottles or if you have a maid service ask them about the products they use and request eco-friendly options and that they recycle the plastic containers. If you have children in your home then glass may not be the best choice so opt or reusable plastic spray bottles. Don’t buy plastic storage containers but rather opt for glass ones – the plastics can leach chemicals into your food if re-heated in the microwave anyway. Small changes all add up particularly when lots of people make small changes! EFFECTIVE MEASURES TAKEN IN INDIA Plastic bags are choking the life out of India. And that's just how the plastics industry wants it. Sometimes back the Lucknow Times of India reported that local cows were dying as a result of eating discarded plastic bags. The number of cows was estimated to be 100 a day. Material waste has only recently become a feature of Indian life – and it was the advent of non-biodegradable plastic that largely created it. Plastic litter has grown in proportion to the expansion of the plastics industry. In the mid-1980s the government of India sanctioned a huge increase in the national production of plastic so that India would become self-sufficient in petrochemical products and be able to compete in the global plastics market. Over 50 per cent of all plastic produced in India is used for packaging. Most of this is discarded once used – and in a country where traditionally waste was largely unknown, this has caused a massive environmental problem. The Indian government and the plastics industry claim that India has the highest rate of plastic recovery in the world – between 40 per cent and 80 per cent of all plastics produced. But be this as it may, the waste problem remains; and mainly for the simple reason that the rag pickers don’t collect plastic bags, for simple reasons of economics. Although plastic fetches about 12 rupees per kilo in the waste market, it takes between 450 and 800 flimsy polythene bags to make up a kilo – and if they are soiled the price drops. This makes them an extremely unattractive economic proposition for even the most destitute rag picker. So, the plastic carrier bag increasingly clogs up the streets, gutters and countryside of India. In the words of one Delhi environmentalist: ‘omnipresent, the plastic carry bag has strewn itself everywhere. In gardens, parks, drains, garbage dumps, on branches of trees and even in bird nests, it can be found to exist, propagating almost like a life form’. In the towns, cities and tourist centres, the plastic bag problem has become a plague; and attempts to cure it have begun to spring up. The initial campaign against plastic began in the hill station of Simla, in July 1996, the Himachal state government passed India’s first Non-Biodegradable Waste Act. But the lack of nationwide action meant that, to avoid the tax, plastic bags were simply manufactured in Delhi or elsewhere and then transported to Himachal. The people of Simla are now much more aware of the plastics problem – but the problem is still with them. In wealthy Goa, meanwhile, the problem is not only plastic bags but also plastic mineral water bottles, carried everywhere by foreign tourists fearful of waterborne diseases. With no collection system, mountains of empty plastic bottles pile up in sand dunes behind its white sand beaches. In January 1998, Goa passed a similar act to that of Himachal Pradesh, but it has never been seriously implemented. Other states have also tried to tame the plastic bag. Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and the autonomous Ladakh Hill Development Council have all instituted ‘bans’ on the use of plastic bags, with varying degrees of success. The Chandigarh Administration has now banned polythene and plastic carry bags in the Union Territory. Those who breach the ban can face a prison term of up to 5 years and/or a fine of Rs.100,000. Repeat offenders may face up to 7 years imprisonment and/or an additional fine of Rs.5,000 per day. The environmental hazards caused by the use of plastic/polythene carry bags appear to be the main argument to support this ban. Quite simply the political influence of the plastics industry in India is vast and deeply suspect. The employment argument is often used by the Indian plastics industry to justify the status quo. However, the govt. of Uttar Pradesh banned plastic bags. What can you do to help' • Carry Jute Bags with you whenever you go out to market for shopping. • Demand a paper carry bag or demand a discount when you don't want to become an advertiser for them! • Like poly bag thrown may choke the drain of kitchen or may be recycled and sold in the market in some other color or shape. • The family members are definitely pleased with the shower of gifts they receive wrapped in plastic poison but are unaware about the affect. • Millions of school children bring their lunch and Tiffin boxes neatly packed in plastic bags. They just litter them here and there unawares of the consequences and the great harm they cause to our surroundings. CONCLUSION “one of the most visible symbols of environmental waste” is Plastic. Yes my resolution is also nearly the same but the only difference is I'll be using the 3R's system. 3R's means:- 1-Recycle 2-Reduce 3-Reuse It is even better than recycle as recycling uses up some energy whereas this does not use any energy. For eg. using old envelopes by writing the address on the opposite side. What we need to find out is the environment friendly alternative to plastic bags, that may be bio-degradable bags; only a cost effective technology of manufacturing is required which can replace the plastic bags. We must join hands to prevent our planet from being destroyed by this deadly menace. --------------