Plastic And Health: What Do People Know and Want To Know
Author: Sruti Soumya Mishra
It has been years now since the invention of the so-called most used material – “Plastic”. This material has changed our lives so much that today the folks have been all using it in some way or the other. So what basically is plastic? How is it made? Is it the best ever material that human has got? This has been a major question in recent times and to answer this is one of the easiest tasks. Plastic is nothing but a mixture of cellulose, coal, and crude oil, some salt, and also natural gas which is considered to be the main composition. The process of making plastic is done via the polymerizationprocess. This would be known to almost many of the people. So is plastic the best material that we use today? Definitely, the answer is a big NO. We all know how plastic has affected the environment and has started degrading it. There have been many instances or shreds of evidence of plastic as the worst material that has been known to people already. Here’s a complete detailed section on how and why plastic is undesired and how it affects health.
The History of Plastic
Way back in the year 1907, a famous chemist from Belgium decided to give this great idea of synthetic plastic a try. He was none other than the Bakelite Discoverer – “Leo Baekeland”. So why did he invent such a thing that has become hazardous for our planet Earth? Well, the chemist's intentions were pure and the invention was based on the idea of minimizing the uses of the available natural resources and their dependency.
Awareness among the Folks
It has been nearly two decades since people have been protesting against the use of plastics. It is good to know that people actually do know the health hazards and environmental hazards that plastic usage throws out to us. So the consciousness and the seriousness of the topic of plastic and health is well understood by the people today. The main thing is people are very well aware of the fact how devastating the material plastic is but the demand for more information on plastic and health is increasing.
The most common thing that we use today which is a form of plastic is – polythene. People have been searching for more pieces of evidence and facts that prove plastic is injurious to health. Not only the evidence but also according to the research, there has been people finding out ways and questioning about the issue to stop the health hazard. Day by day, year by year, the searches on plastic and health have been increasing with a high number. So what exactly do people know about the relationship between plastic & health? The answer is everyone is well aware of how dangerous plastic is for health and the chronic conditions that it can bring up anytime. What do people need to know and want to know more? The extra things that all these searches have been for are nothing but all about the process that leads to the conclusion that plastic intervenes in human health. Inventions of degradable plasticshave hit the curiosity of the people even more. The folks are having a hard time knowing more about these kinds of plastics which are environment friendly as the initiative is still a long way to reach everyone.
A Global Health Threatening Issue
Since people are aware of the hazardous health issues upon using plastic, many are finding ways to avoid it and asking more out of it. Plastic is a non-biodegradable material that releases toxins into the environment. Plastics have even intoxicated the entire ocean area and have proved to be a threat to sea animals. These are choked up by the animals which disturb the eco cycle. Burning plastics is not the solution anymore. The act has proved to be releasing out several toxins like vinyl chloride, hydrochloric acid, lead, cadmium, etc. which are deadly and causes breathing or respiration issues in humans.
All in all, plastics can trigger many health issues like obesity, breast cancer, thyroid, infertility, asthma, obesity, diabetes, early puberty, etc. Apart from these issues, the neurological health issues caused by plastic usage have also been found and proved. There have been various kinds of plastics that have been in great use. The study shows that people have become so plastic dependent that has led to plastic pollution. Indeed there have been so many campaigns and summits that help to lower plastic usage and spread awareness but the goal is still a faraway dream. This has become a global problem that needs the attention of the people. Microplastics have been in use every day. Plastics can even attract bacteria that would be a risk for infection in the human body. It even degrades the quality of the food and drinks that we intake.
Conclusion
People have been well aware of what is happening on a global scale. All which is needed to avoid the global plastic crisis is to prove or demonstrate the entire process digitally or practically in front of people. This is not all. But the main question is raised about the alternatives of the plastic products that we use at home. There have been many great alternatives that are as cheap as plastic and are sustainable in nature as well. For example, Bamboo can be a good replacement for plastic.
Many countries have started taking big steps to avoid plastic usage. The common alternative among all the countries is to use cloth bags or jute bags. Similarly, the products like cups, utensils, decorations, or anything else can be changed into something that would be healthier for humans. The problem is not the plastic but the people who lack the consciousness to do the right by avoiding the use. It would be the best choice to give people the information they want to know via digital campaigns. Digital Media has been a hit among people and digital plastic stoppage campaigns workwell. Let’s be brave by ourselves and take oaths to minimize and subsequently reduce the plastic usage in our homes in order to save us and our future generation.
