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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]
More than 3,200 chemicals of concern have been found in plastics, according to a 2023 U.N. Environment Program report, which said women and children were particularly susceptible to their toxicity.
Humans are exposed to toxic chemicals and microplastics at all stages in the plastics life cycle. Microplastics effects on human health are of growing concern and an area of research. The tiny particles known as microplastics (MPs), have been found in various environmental and biological matrices, including air, water, food, and human tissues.
In the 1980s and 1990s, plastic recycling and the development of biodegradable plastics began to flourish to mitigate environmental impacts. [ 142 ] [ 143 ] From 2000 to the present, bioplastics from renewable sources and awareness of microplastics have spurred extensive research and policies to control plastic pollution.
DecaBDE is a type of brominated flame retardant banned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2021. In the study, researchers estimated that using black plastic kitchenware could cause an ...
The researchers found 90% of paper straws had PFAS, compared to 80% of bamboo straws, 75% of plastic straws, and 40% of glass straws. Further, a paper straw brand was the brand with the highest ...
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 ...
Many of those toxins directly affect the endocrine systems of organisms, which control almost every cell in the body. [16] Research shows the average operating "lifespan" of a plastic bag to be approximately 20 years. [17] Plastic bags dumped in the Pacific Ocean can end up in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. 80% of the plastic waste comes from ...