The invention of the first fully synthetic plastic is credited to Leo Baekeland, a Belgian-American chemist, in 1907. He created Bakelite, a thermoset plastic formed by combining phenol and formaldehyde under heat and pressure. This invention revolutionized various industries and is widely recognized as a significant milestone in the history of plastics.
Washington, D.C.— PLASTICS President and CEO Matt Seaholm released the following statement on President Trump's plan to sign an executive order bringing back plastic straws: “We know that plastic is the best material for nearly everything it is used for, while being sustainable
Plastic is a word that originally meant “pliable and easily shaped.” It only recently became a name for a category of materials called polymers. The word polymer means “of many parts,” and polymers are made of long chains of molecules. Polymers abound in nature.
Plastic products often contain additives, such as organophosphate flame retardants, phthalate substitutes, and bisphenol, which can be toxic. For example, exposure to certain flame retardants has been associated with neurological and developmental issues.
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. Microplastic particles in the plastic bags pollute the soil and change the natural soil content into toxic content.
Using plastic bags has a wide range of negative effects on the environment and human health. These effects include pollution, animal deaths, toxic chemical leaching, and contributing to climate change. Additionally, plastic bags can cause health issues, visual pollution, and even lead to diseases.
Environmental Impacts:
Pollution:
Plastic bags are non-biodegradable and can take hundreds of years to decompose, contaminating soil and waterways with microplastics. They also contribute to landfill waste and visual pollution.
Animal Deaths:
Animals, particularly seabirds and marine life, often mistake plastic bags for food, leading to ingestion and death.
Leaching of Toxic Chemicals:
When plastic bags break down, they release toxic chemicals into the soil and water, posing a threat to ecosystems and potentially harming human health.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
The burning of plastic waste releases greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
Visual Pollution:
Discarded plastic bags litter landscapes, disrupting aesthetics and posing a threat to wildlife.
Waterway Issues:
Plastic bags can clog drains and waterways, leading to flooding and exacerbating waterborne diseases.
Health Impacts:
Health Issues:
Exposure to plastic bags and their components can cause eye irritation, breathing difficulties, and various other health problems.
Cancer and Other Diseases:
Some chemicals used in plastic bag production, like Bisphenol-A, have been linked to health issues such as cancer and liver toxicity.
Microplastic Ingestion:
Microplastics from plastic bags can enter the food chain and be consumed by humans, potentially leading to health problems.
Respiratory Problems:
Burning plastic waste releases toxic fumes that can cause respiratory issues and contribute to air pollution.
Overall, the use of plastic bags has a significant negative impact on the environment and human health, highlighting the need for alternatives and responsible waste management practices.
The plastic typically used in bottles, bags and food containers contains chemical additives such as endocrine disruptors, which are associated with negative health effects including cancers, birth defects and immune system suppression in humans and wildlife.
