Plastic Pollution
Emergent threat to health and environment
Since the development of plastic in the fifties of the past century by German scientist, it has become a popular material used in a wide variety of ways. Of late, it is used even for producing boxes, utensils, doors and other commercial items. But unfortunately, because of the same useful qualities, it poses a serious and huge pollution problem. It can do great harm to environment as it doesn't decompose and requires high energy ultra-violet light to break down. In addition to using up fossil fuels and other resources, plastic products create litter and threaten the basis of life on earth. According to an estimate, more than 100 million tones of plastic products are used every year all over the world. United States alone is producing over 25 million tons per year. In India, per capita plastic use is 2 kg per year while in the European countries it is 60 kg and in US 80 kg per year. Again, use of plastic materials and goods is more in urban area than in rural. Plastics thrown on land can enter into drainage lines and choke them resulting into floods in local areas in cities as experienced in Mumbai, India in 1998. Human health: Many chemical ingredients used in manufacturing plastic goods including benzene, vinyl chloride, ethylene oxides, xylems and bisphend A are linked with numerous health hazards and reproductive problems. For instance, bisphenol A, found in water bottles, has shown in lab test to disrupt hormones and is associated with obesity and diabetes. Besides, when the toxic chemicals contained in plastic products leach from packaging into food and thus enter people's bodies, they cause many tribulations including cancer, birth defects, hormone changes, respiratory problems, gastric ulcers, and eye and liver problems. In research, the Korean Institute of Health Research found that when meat, fish and vegetables are stored in plastic products, a heat is generated. This heat causes a chemical reaction and anaerobic bacteria are created, which speed the rate at which meat and fish spoil. Drinking lemon tea from a plastic or styrofoam cup can cause a dangerous chemical reaction when the acid in tea and lemon mixes with the plastic or styrofoam. This causes an increase in the risk of ulcer and cancer. Pollution of air: The manufacturing process of plastic products in plastic industries releases huge quantity of dangerous gaseous chemicals into the air including carbon monoxide, dioxin and hydrogen cyanide. These gases pollute air seriously. The presence of these gases in air at high proportion is detrimental to both human and animal health. They may cause respiratory diseases, nervous system disorders and reduction in immunity to diseases. Pollution of soil: Soil, one of the most valuable natural resources, is also badly affected by plastic pollution. Many times both consciously and surreptitiously we dispose of plastic products on land. As plastic goods never biodegrade completely, remnants remain in the soil, disrupting the process of water and oxygen absorption. Besides, plastic remnants also block sunlight. So the sun cannot warm the soil properly. As a result, the helpful bacteria die and the soil's fertility reduce. Ultimately it results in declining crop yield. Pollution of water: Apart from the scarcity of drinkable water, we are facing a serious problem of water pollution by plastic waste. Very often we dispose of discarded plastic products in different water bodies including lakes, rivers, ponds, etc. The lakes in the mega city of Dhaka may be the best example of pollution by plastic bottles, canes, bags and other plastic products frequently thrown by the visitors. The presence of plastic wastes in water bodies disturbs the natural flow, limits the ability of fish to reproduce and destroys helpful organisms. Marine biodiversity: By discarding plastic thoughtlessly especially fishing gear and packaging, people are accidentally causing the death of millions of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish every year. Plastic can affect marine wildlife in two important ways: by entangling creatures, and by being eaten. Turtles are particularly badly affected by plastic pollution. Turtle gets entangled in fishing nets and many sea turtles have been found dead with plastic bags in their stomachs. It is believed that they mistake these floating semi-transparent bags for jelly fish and eat them. One dead turtle found off Hawaii in the Pacific was found to have more than 1000 pieces of plastic in its stomach including part of a comb, a toy truck wheel and nylon rope. A recent US report concluded that 100,000 marine mammals die each year in the world's oceans by eating or becoming entangled in plastic rubbish. Besides, a large number of marine creatures become trapped and killed in 'Ghost nets'. These are pieces of gill nets which have been lost by fishing vessels. Commercial fishing fleets are estimated to have lost nearly 300 million pounds of plastic fishing gear in one year alone. World wide 75 marine bird species are known to eat discarded plastic particles to their peril. South African seabirds of about 36 species are among the worst affected in the world. Plastics may remain in the stomachs, blocking digestion and possibly causing starvation. It can choke, block the intestines of, or cause infection in those animals that consume it. Lost or discarded monofilament fishing lines can foul propellers, destroying oil seals or it can become an entangling web for fish, sea birds and marine mammals. Fifty five of sixty chicks that were subsequently examined on Hawaii Island had died with their stomachs full of plastic trash. Global warming: Apart from the above impacts, some scientists believe that the bobbing bits of polymer in the oceans could contribute to global warming by creating a shaded canopy that makes it harder for plankton to grow. It needs no telling that the plant kingdom is the universal carbon sink. Bangladesh perspective: Quite a few decades ago, Bangladesh was not familiar with the multiple uses of plastics. But in recent years, particularly its large cities, have experienced a widespread and growing use of plastic products. As a result, Bangladesh is also facing all of the environmental, economic and health problems caused by plastic pollution. Taking the environmental issue into account, Bangladesh government imposed a ban on poly bags on 1st March 2002. But, unfortunately, of late polybag and other poly products are gradually coming backing in business (The Daily Star, September 13, 2008). Notwithstanding the current relatively low use of plastic products this is an opportune time for policy makers to formulate measures and for general users to change their habit and choice to environment-friendly natural fiber products as practical alternatives. Otherwise, the longer we shall wait, the more difficult it will be to change people's habit. Reduction strategies: Reducing plastic pollution is a bit complicated job. However, here are suggested some control strategies that we can take to reverse the tide of toxic, non-biodegradable pollution. At personal level, buy no plastic bags, use water purifying device rather than using plastic water bottle, look for Earth-friendly packaging choices, do not dispose of plastic in the sewerage system and water ways, dispose of plastic and other litter in the bins provided at the beach. At organizational level, do not produce the plastic that can't be recycled. Plastic wrappings and bags should carry a warning label stating the dangers of pollution. At national level, adopt a “zero plastic waste” policy, accelerate research into alternatives, subsidize producers of bio-plastics, support and promote recycling schemes, draft a law to control the use of plastic products, raise tax on plastic products, reduce tax on environment-friendly alternatives and raise public awareness about harmful effects of plastic products and benefits of their alternatives through TV, radio and newspapers. Concluding remarks: The problem of plastic pollution is serious and requires further urgent study. Yet, we should not go without realizing the truth that plastic is not itself a problem. Rather it is more useful, popular and really fantastic because of its appealing qualities. Truly the problems are with us; problems are improper production process, uses and careless and thoughtless disposal. Now, we all should build up a habit of reduction, reuse and recycling of plastic products for conscious consumption. Let us brood over the issue do the duties and discharge responsibilities, normally and ethically bestowed on us, towards a plastic pollution-free environment.
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