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Globally, 400 million metric tons of plastic are produced each year -- and that number is on track to double by 2050, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. In 2016 alone, the U.S ...
The presence of plastic in the environment hurt ecosystems and human health and pose a threat to food safety. [91] Chlorinated plastic can release harmful chemicals into the surrounding soil, which can then seep into groundwater or other surrounding water sources and also the ecosystem of the world. [92]
A big reason is the lack of capacity for recycling various plastics. Industry argues much more than 5 percent is getting recycled and that there is room for more. Correction: An earlier version of ...
The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife, and have harmful impacts on human health or on the ...
Humans are exposed to toxic chemicals and microplastics at all stages in the plastics life cycle. The effects of microplastics on human health are a growing concern and an actively increasing area of research. Tiny particles known as microplastics (MPs), have been found in various environmental and biological matrices, including air, water ...
Plastic pollutes oceans, food, your body. Yet nations are divided over a global treaty. Why all eyes are on talks for a U.N.-led accord to cut plastic waste.
Plastic degradation in marine bacteria describes when certain pelagic bacteria break down polymers and use them as a primary source of carbon for energy. Polymers such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are incredibly useful for their durability and relatively low cost of production, however it is their persistence and difficulty to be properly ...
The microplastics are such a concern because it is difficult to clean them up due to their size, so humans can try to avoid using these harmful plastics by purchasing products that use environmentally safe exfoliates. Because plastic is so widely used across the planet, microplastics have become widespread in the marine environment.