The document provides an overview of plastics, including their properties, types, production, uses, and environmental impacts. It discusses how plastics are polymers made from petrochemicals and can be thermoplastics or thermosets. The major types of plastics like polyethylene, PVC, and polystyrene are described. The document also outlines the positive aspects of plastics but notes they are not biodegradable and can pollute land, water, and air when discarded. Plastic waste is a growing problem and poses health risks to both wildlife and humans. Ways to reduce plastic pollution through refuse, reduce, reuse, and recycle strategies are suggested.
Plastic is all around us. It forms much of the packaging for our food and drink. For many of us, it is throughout our home, our workplace, our car, the bus we take to and from work. It can be in our clothing, eyeglasses, teeth, toothbrush, computers, phones, dishes, utensils, toys. The list goes on, especially when you look around and begin to notice the plastic in your life.
Plastic is versatile, lightweight, flexible, moisture resistant, durable, strong and relatively inexpensive. It can be chemical resistant, clear or opaque, and practically unbreakable. These are wonderful useful qualities, and plastic plays many important roles in life on Earth, but the widespread use of plastic is also causing unprecedented environmental problems, and harbours serious health risks . Plastic should be used wisely, with caution and only when suitable alternatives do not exist or are not available.
Plastic is all around us. It forms much of the packaging for our food and drink. For many of us, it is throughout our home, our workplace, our car, the bus we take to and from work. It can be in our clothing, eyeglasses, teeth, toothbrush, computers, phones, dishes, utensils, toys. The list goes on, especially when you look around and begin to notice the plastic in your life.
Plastic is versatile, lightweight, flexible, moisture resistant, durable, strong and relatively inexpensive. It can be chemical resistant, clear or opaque, and practically unbreakable. These are wonderful useful qualities, and plastic plays many important roles in life on Earth, but the widespread use of plastic is also causing unprecedented environmental problems, and harbours serious health risks . Plastic should be used wisely, with caution and only when suitable alternatives do not exist or are not available.
The power point presentation contains
Invention of Plastic
Types of Plastic- categories
Why Plastic ?
Chemicals added in plastics
Plastic Pollution
Effects of plastics on Humans, Animals and Marine Life !
Entry of plastic in food chain !
How can we contribute to minimize the Plastic pollution ?
Whenever word plastic comes to our mind the first thing that strikes is HARMFUL!
So here is a little presentation to show how to convert that harmful thing into something innovative :)
ENJOY
Plastic pollution is a constant battle . The causes and effects are dangerous, do you know the solution?
#plastic #recycling #plasticpollution #pollution #environment
The presentation gives a brief about what are single use plastics, how to avoid using them, what india is doin towards there ban and how other countries are working towards its ban.
Beat Plastic Pollution: World Environment Day Aniruddha Guha
This year (2018) India was the host country for official celebrations of WED and escalating the issue of Plastic Pollution for creating required awareness was a matter of utmost importance. This presentation was designed keeping the same in mind. It raised three basic questions,
1) What is the Problem (Problem Definition)?
2) What are the adverse effects of Plastic Pollution?
3) What can we do to stop it?
While answering these questions during the flow of the presentation, the sad reality of Great Pacific Garbage Patch was also discussed. At the final stage, solutions were proposed following 4R concept, namely, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rebuy. The presentation concluded with a small video trailer titled “Albatross” (By Chris Jordan) which exhibited the tragic truth of Midway Island, one the most heart-breaking consequences of plastic pollution.
Hi i'am Sean , i study in OUR OWN ENGLISH HIGH SCHOOL .This is a power point on plastics , to help us understand what is a plastic , what are the types of plastic and what harm do they cause to our environment
The power point presentation contains
Invention of Plastic
Types of Plastic- categories
Why Plastic ?
Chemicals added in plastics
Plastic Pollution
Effects of plastics on Humans, Animals and Marine Life !
Entry of plastic in food chain !
How can we contribute to minimize the Plastic pollution ?
Whenever word plastic comes to our mind the first thing that strikes is HARMFUL!
So here is a little presentation to show how to convert that harmful thing into something innovative :)
ENJOY
Plastic pollution is a constant battle . The causes and effects are dangerous, do you know the solution?
#plastic #recycling #plasticpollution #pollution #environment
The presentation gives a brief about what are single use plastics, how to avoid using them, what india is doin towards there ban and how other countries are working towards its ban.
Beat Plastic Pollution: World Environment Day Aniruddha Guha
This year (2018) India was the host country for official celebrations of WED and escalating the issue of Plastic Pollution for creating required awareness was a matter of utmost importance. This presentation was designed keeping the same in mind. It raised three basic questions,
1) What is the Problem (Problem Definition)?
2) What are the adverse effects of Plastic Pollution?
3) What can we do to stop it?
While answering these questions during the flow of the presentation, the sad reality of Great Pacific Garbage Patch was also discussed. At the final stage, solutions were proposed following 4R concept, namely, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rebuy. The presentation concluded with a small video trailer titled “Albatross” (By Chris Jordan) which exhibited the tragic truth of Midway Island, one the most heart-breaking consequences of plastic pollution.
Hi i'am Sean , i study in OUR OWN ENGLISH HIGH SCHOOL .This is a power point on plastics , to help us understand what is a plastic , what are the types of plastic and what harm do they cause to our environment
Functional barrier films in flexible packaging industryHenky Wibawa
Technology and market trends in flexible packaging development. Presented in Asia Flexible Packaging Summit 2016, 13-14 January, 2016 Crowne Plaza Century Park Shanghai
This is study to assess the potential of using “WASTE PLASTIC RECYCLING MACHINE”. We are working together to find ways to work with plastic waste, Plastic pollution is a huge problem regarding all of us. We want to find a solution and fix this. now plastic has become a warning to entire ecosystems and societies. we want to show the world the incredible opportunities of plastic waste in order to eliminate plastic pollution, we are made from basic materials are very affordable and easy to build. Their simplicity allows effective maintenance and easy repair. The machines are also modular so they can be adapted to different contexts and needs. This resource (plastic) locate around everywhere can become a source of income or an educational tool for your community.
Here we will see the classifications, Collection, Handling & Sorting, different methods of sorting of plastics
About Biodegradable polymers, how to use it and reuse it
Plastic has been most inculcating material in our modern world. Plastic has a major problem as it cannot be disposed in the environment safely so many ideas has made up to decrease the pollution caused due to plastic. It has been remoulded into useful products to decrease its disposal problem. One of the methods of reforming plastic into useful product is our “PLASTIC PAVEMENTS”.
Plastic pavement has been formed from different plastic. It has only two materials plastic and sand. Plastic is best in it use for moisture resistant. It is mixed with sand to give good compressive strength. Plastic pavement is used for light weight traffic. The pavements manufactured possess the properties such as neat and even finishing
A stem cell is a "blank" cell that can give rise to multiple tissue types such as a skin, muscle, or nerve cell.
Under certain physiologic or experimental conditions, they can be induced to become tissue- or organ-specific cells with special functions.
Vaccines provide protective immunity and immunological memory to individuals, families and communities against any infectious disease.
Vaccines are cheap, cost – effective , easily administered and adaptable to mass vaccination.
Viral diseases can be managed through vaccination.
A community is a complex group of individuals interacting and sharing an environment.
Communities can be characterized by their structure (the types and numbers of species present) and dynamics (how communities change over time).
All behavior patterns are co-ordinated sequences of neuromuscular activity. A rhythm is a periodically recurring event.
chronobiology is the study of science of life in relation with time.
The majority of organisms show daily and annual cycles of activity and development.
Thermodynamic laws describe the flows and interchanges of heat, energy and matter.
Almost all chemical and biochemical processes are as a result of transformation of energy.
Laws can provide important insights into metabolism and bioenergetics.
The energy exchanges between the system and the surroundings balance each other.
There is a hierarchy of energetics among organisms
The active principles of the endocrine glands are called hormones.
Hormones are specific chemical substances discharged directly into the blood.
The blood distributes the hormones through out the body.
Water is one of the prime elements responsible for life on earth.
Water sustains life and maintains ecological balance.
Water is the essential component of global life support system.
The muscle are biological motors which convert chemical energy into force and mechanical work.
This biological machinery is composed of proteins – which is actomyosin and the fuel is ATP.
With the use of muscles we are able to act on our environment.
Nervous system forms an interconnecting fibers of communication network.
In the ‘hard-wiring’ of the nerves, the signals travel in the form of a flow of electrical current called nerve impulses.
The stimulus-response reactions afford internal constancy in the face of environmental changes.
Enzymes are dynamic proteins that accelerate biochemical reactions.
Each enzyme acts on a specific reactant, the substrate.
Enzymes are characterized by greater activity, specificity and susceptibility to the influence of pH, temperature and other environmental changes.
Enzymes act in the presence of non-peptide cofactors or coenzymes.
An enzyme lacking its cofactor is called apoenzyme and the active enzyme with its co-factor, the holoenzyme.
Global climate change Refers to changes in any aspects of the earth’s climate including temperature, precipitation and storm intensity and patterns.
Global warming is an increase in Earth’s average surface temperature due to rising levels of greenhouse gases.
The term heavy metal refers to any metallic chemical element that has a relatively high density and is toxic or poisonous at low concentrations.
Heavy metals are Globally distributed
pollutants
The oceans are enormous in their size, volume and depth.
Animal life in the sea is very varied and more diversified in terms shape, size, form and weight-right from microscopic plankton to the giant whale.
Marine pollution is the introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy into the marine environment (including estuaries), resulting in such deleterious effects as; harm to living resources: hazards to human health
A biochemical technique used in Molecular Biology to amplify a specific fragment of target DNA.
PCR is used in medical and biological research, including cloning, genetic analysis, genetic fingerprinting, diagnostics, pathogen detection and genetic fingerprinting
Electrophoresis is a separation technique that is based on the movement of charged particles in an electric field.
Electrophoresis is an analytical method of separating charged particles based on their relative mobilities in an electric field
It is the preparation of tissues for microscopic examination.
It is an effective diagnostic tool in clinical pathology.
Histological preparations reveal normal tissue structure, tissue abnormalities and cancerous conditions.
Gene therapy refers to the insertion of genetic material to correct a genetic defect.
In gene therapy, a "normal" gene is inserted into the genome to replace an "abnormal," disease-causing gene
Soil is a biologically active, complex mixture of minerals, organic materials, living organisms, air and water.
Soil contamination is the presence of man-made chemicals or other alteration to the natural soil environment.
More from St.Xavier's College , Palayamkottai - 627 002 (20)
Unit 8 - Information and Communication Technology (Paper I).pdfThiyagu K
This slides describes the basic concepts of ICT, basics of Email, Emerging Technology and Digital Initiatives in Education. This presentations aligns with the UGC Paper I syllabus.
Operation “Blue Star” is the only event in the history of Independent India where the state went into war with its own people. Even after about 40 years it is not clear if it was culmination of states anger over people of the region, a political game of power or start of dictatorial chapter in the democratic setup.
The people of Punjab felt alienated from main stream due to denial of their just demands during a long democratic struggle since independence. As it happen all over the word, it led to militant struggle with great loss of lives of military, police and civilian personnel. Killing of Indira Gandhi and massacre of innocent Sikhs in Delhi and other India cities was also associated with this movement.
Palestine last event orientationfvgnh .pptxRaedMohamed3
An EFL lesson about the current events in Palestine. It is intended to be for intermediate students who wish to increase their listening skills through a short lesson in power point.
A Strategic Approach: GenAI in EducationPeter Windle
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI, Image Generators and Large Language Models have had a dramatic impact on teaching, learning and assessment over the past 18 months. The most immediate threat AI posed was to Academic Integrity with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) focusing their efforts on combating the use of GenAI in assessment. Guidelines were developed for staff and students, policies put in place too. Innovative educators have forged paths in the use of Generative AI for teaching, learning and assessments leading to pockets of transformation springing up across HEIs, often with little or no top-down guidance, support or direction.
This Gasta posits a strategic approach to integrating AI into HEIs to prepare staff, students and the curriculum for an evolving world and workplace. We will highlight the advantages of working with these technologies beyond the realm of teaching, learning and assessment by considering prompt engineering skills, industry impact, curriculum changes, and the need for staff upskilling. In contrast, not engaging strategically with Generative AI poses risks, including falling behind peers, missed opportunities and failing to ensure our graduates remain employable. The rapid evolution of AI technologies necessitates a proactive and strategic approach if we are to remain relevant.
June 3, 2024 Anti-Semitism Letter Sent to MIT President Kornbluth and MIT Cor...Levi Shapiro
Letter from the Congress of the United States regarding Anti-Semitism sent June 3rd to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Corp Chair, Mark Gorenberg
Dear Dr. Kornbluth and Mr. Gorenberg,
The US House of Representatives is deeply concerned by ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic
harassment and intimidation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Failing to act decisively to ensure a safe learning environment for all students would be a grave dereliction of your responsibilities as President of MIT and Chair of the MIT Corporation.
This Congress will not stand idly by and allow an environment hostile to Jewish students to persist. The House believes that your institution is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the inability or
unwillingness to rectify this violation through action requires accountability.
Postsecondary education is a unique opportunity for students to learn and have their ideas and beliefs challenged. However, universities receiving hundreds of millions of federal funds annually have denied
students that opportunity and have been hijacked to become venues for the promotion of terrorism, antisemitic harassment and intimidation, unlawful encampments, and in some cases, assaults and riots.
The House of Representatives will not countenance the use of federal funds to indoctrinate students into hateful, antisemitic, anti-American supporters of terrorism. Investigations into campus antisemitism by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means have been expanded into a Congress-wide probe across all relevant jurisdictions to address this national crisis. The undersigned Committees will conduct oversight into the use of federal funds at MIT and its learning environment under authorities granted to each Committee.
• The Committee on Education and the Workforce has been investigating your institution since December 7, 2023. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over postsecondary education, including its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, campus safety concerns over disruptions to the learning environment, and the awarding of federal student aid under the Higher Education Act.
• The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the sources of funding and other support flowing to groups espousing pro-Hamas propaganda and engaged in antisemitic harassment and intimidation of students. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the US House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.
• The Committee on Ways and Means has been investigating several universities since November 15, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing entitled From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing. The Committee followed the hearing with letters to those institutions on January 10, 202
2024.06.01 Introducing a competency framework for languag learning materials ...Sandy Millin
http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/iateflwebinar2024
Published classroom materials form the basis of syllabuses, drive teacher professional development, and have a potentially huge influence on learners, teachers and education systems. All teachers also create their own materials, whether a few sentences on a blackboard, a highly-structured fully-realised online course, or anything in between. Despite this, the knowledge and skills needed to create effective language learning materials are rarely part of teacher training, and are mostly learnt by trial and error.
Knowledge and skills frameworks, generally called competency frameworks, for ELT teachers, trainers and managers have existed for a few years now. However, until I created one for my MA dissertation, there wasn’t one drawing together what we need to know and do to be able to effectively produce language learning materials.
This webinar will introduce you to my framework, highlighting the key competencies I identified from my research. It will also show how anybody involved in language teaching (any language, not just English!), teacher training, managing schools or developing language learning materials can benefit from using the framework.
Acetabularia Information For Class 9 .docxvaibhavrinwa19
Acetabularia acetabulum is a single-celled green alga that in its vegetative state is morphologically differentiated into a basal rhizoid and an axially elongated stalk, which bears whorls of branching hairs. The single diploid nucleus resides in the rhizoid.
Read| The latest issue of The Challenger is here! We are thrilled to announce that our school paper has qualified for the NATIONAL SCHOOLS PRESS CONFERENCE (NSPC) 2024. Thank you for your unwavering support and trust. Dive into the stories that made us stand out!
Embracing GenAI - A Strategic ImperativePeter Windle
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI, Image Generators and Large Language Models have had a dramatic impact on teaching, learning and assessment over the past 18 months. The most immediate threat AI posed was to Academic Integrity with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) focusing their efforts on combating the use of GenAI in assessment. Guidelines were developed for staff and students, policies put in place too. Innovative educators have forged paths in the use of Generative AI for teaching, learning and assessments leading to pockets of transformation springing up across HEIs, often with little or no top-down guidance, support or direction.
This Gasta posits a strategic approach to integrating AI into HEIs to prepare staff, students and the curriculum for an evolving world and workplace. We will highlight the advantages of working with these technologies beyond the realm of teaching, learning and assessment by considering prompt engineering skills, industry impact, curriculum changes, and the need for staff upskilling. In contrast, not engaging strategically with Generative AI poses risks, including falling behind peers, missed opportunities and failing to ensure our graduates remain employable. The rapid evolution of AI technologies necessitates a proactive and strategic approach if we are to remain relevant.
2. Introduction
Properties of plastics
Positive aspects of plastics
Negative aspects of plastics.
types, categories and
families of plastics.
Land plastic pollution
Air plastic pollution
Water plastic pollution.
Ocean plastic pollution
Human health hazards
Pollution prevention
3. The word plastic was derived from the
words plasticus(Latin for ‘capable of
moulding’) and plastikos (Greek for ‘fit
for moulding’).
Plastics are organic polymers (synthetic
or natural) of high molecular weight.
The plastic is basically formless material
which can be moulded under heat and
pressure.
4. Most of the plastics are made from three
raw materials
• Non-renewable
petroleum • Natural resource
• Non-renewable
Coal • Natural resource
• Renewable
cellulose • Natural resource
5. Plastic is a long, chain like molecules
(polymers) made from petroleum capable
being molded, extruded or cast into various
shapes.
The first plastic was invented in 1862 by
Alexander Parkes.
At first plastics could only be made in brown
or black (Bakelite) color.
In 1930’s, ‘Amino Plastics’ had been
invented which could be made in lots of
bright colours.
6. Plastics are strong, light weight, flexible
and durable.
Plastics show superior optical properties
( clarity, gloss and color).
Plastics can be easily moulded into a
variety of shapes and sizes.
Plastics have excellent mechanical
strength ( tensile properties, tear
resistance and impact resistance ).
7. Plastics are relatively cheap compared
to tin, glass and steel.
Plastics are reusable and recyclable.
Plastics have long use life.
8. Plastics are good electrical / heat
insulators.
Plastics do not corrode or decay.
Plastics are cheap and dispensable.
Plastics are resistant to chemicals, water
or grease.
9. Plastics can either be non-
biodegradable or degrade very slowly.
Plastics are flammable and release toxic
fumes when burned.
Plastics can contaminate foods with
dangerous chemical compounds.
Plastics usually have low melting points
and therefore expand with heat.
Plastics are not as strong as metals.
10. plastics are made from fossil fuels.
Fossil fuels contain hydrocarbons, which provide
small building blocks called monomer
polymerization.
These hydrocarbon monomers are link together
to form long carbon chains called polymers.
The process of forming long molecules is called
polymerization.
The polymerization form viscous, sticky
substances known as resins, which are used to
make plastic products.
For e.g., ethylene is a gaseous hydrocarbon.
When it is subjected to heat, pressure, and certain
polyethylene.
catalysts , the ethylene molecules join together
into long, repeating carbon chains.
These joined molecules form a plastic resin known
as polyethylene.
11. Addition polymerization
-Joining identical monomers
• polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride,
and polystyrene.
Condensation polymerization
-Joining two or more different monomers
• nylon (polyamide), polyester, and polyurethane.
12. Groups of plastics
Thermoplastics
Thermosets
Thermoplastics can be
repeatedly softened Thermosetting plastics
by heating and harden permanently
hardened by cooling. after being heated
once.
e.g. polyethylene
e.g. bakelite
13.
14. No. type Chemical name usage precautions
1 PET Polyethylene Single use bottles-water, soft drinks, Use with
terephthalate juice caution
High density Milk/detergentbottles Appears
2 HDPE polyethylene safe
3 PVC Poly vinyl chloride Meat wraps, shampoo Avoid
containers More
hazardous
4 LDPE Low density Bread bags, Appears
polyethylene Sandwich bags safe
5 PP polypropylene Medicine bottles, cereal liners Appears
safe
6 PS polystyrene Take-out containers, foam avoid
packaging
7 O others Baby bottles, sauce bottles Use with
caution
15. Polyethylene (PE) Polyester (PES)
Poly vinyl chloride Polyamides (PA)
(PVC) (Nylons).
Polystyrene (PS) Poly tetrafluoroethylene
Polypropylene (PP) (PTEE) (Teflon)
Polyurethane (PU) Melamine formaldehyde
polycarbonates (MF).
Urea formaldehyde (UF).
There are more than 50 families of plastics
16. Plastic Plastic waste
production disposal
100 million 25 million
tonnes/ year tonnes/year
Plastics in municipal
Annual increase of
solid waste = 11.8 %
Production =9%
By weight
17. Polyethylene (PE) is a milky white, translucent
substance derived from ethylene.
Polyethylene (PE) is made in low- and high-density
forms.
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is the most widely used
of all plastics, because it is
inexpensive, flexible, extremely tough, and chemical-
resistant.
LDPE is molded into bottles, garment bags, frozen food
packages, and plastic toys.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is stiffer,
stronger, and less translucent.
HDPE is formed into grocery bags, car fuel
tanks, packaging, and piping.
18. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is prepared from the
organic compound vinyl chloride.
PVC is the most widely used of the amorphous
plastics.
PVC is lightweight, durable, and waterproof.
Rigid PVC is moulded into clear
bottles, pipe, house siding, and gutters and is
used to form other consumer
products, including compact discs and
computer casings.
Soft form of PVC is used to make shrink-
wrap, food packaging, rainwear, shoe
soles, shampoo containers, floor
tile, gloves, upholstery, and other products.
19. Polypropylene is
polymerized from the
organic compound
propylene.
Polypropylene has the
properties of durability
and chemical
resistance.
Polypropylene made
into
rope, fiber, carpet, an
d packaging film.
20. Polystyrene is
produced from
styrene.
polystyrene is an
amorphous, transpare
nt, and somewhat
brittle plastic.
Polystyrene is made
into products such as
toys, utensils, display
boxes, model aircraft
kits, and ballpoint pen
barrels.
21. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is
formed from the reaction of terephthalic
acid and ethylene glycol.
PET molecules are strong and abrasion-
resistant material that is used to produce
films and polyester fibers.
PET is injection molded into windshield
wiper arms, sunroof
frames, gears, pulleys, and food trays.
22. 80% of
thermoplastics,
and 20% of thermoset
plastic wastes are
generated in India.
The use of plastics in
India is 3 kg per
person per year.
The total
consumption of
plastics in India is
about 4 million tonnes
and the waste
generated is about 2
million tonnes.
About 20% of solid
municipal wastes are
plastics in India.
23. Plastic is one of the toxic non-biodegradable
pollutants, which pollutes land, air and water.
Plastics cause serious damage to the
environment both during its manufacture and
disposal.
The manufacture of plastics in industries
releases huge quantity of carbon
monoxide, dioxin, hydrogen cyanide and
VOCs.
These gases pollute air seriously.
Being a non-biodegradable material, land
filling with plastics preserves the poisons for
ever.
24. Plastic is a part of our lives.
People use plastics in a variety of ways
ranging from household appliances to
industrial and commercial products.
The production of plastics is growing
about 9% annually.
According to an estimate about 100
million tonnes of plastics is produced
every year all over the world.
25. The major chemicals used in the manufacture
of plastics are highly toxic.
Plastic which is made from petroleum, is a
material that the earth cannot digest.
These toxic chemicals( benzene, vinyl
chloride, xylems and bisphenol A ) pose serious
threat to living beings of all species on earth.
Benzene and vinyl chloride are confirmed
carcinogens.
In the environment, plastic breaks down into
smaller and smaller particles, that absorb toxic
chemicals, are ingested by wildlife on land and
in the ocean and enter human food chain.
26. Toxic
By-products/
wastes
incineration
distribution End of life
Manufacture Use of Disposal of Land
plastics fills
Of plastics plastics
recycling
Leaching of chemicals&
Enter human Food chain
27. Plastic resins are made by using non-
renewable natural resources.
Approximately 8 % 0f world’s oil
production is used to make plastics.
Over exploitation results in depletion of
natural resources
28. Plastic pollution on land is both physical and
chemical.
Plastic reduces soil fertility by forming the part
of manure for years.
Plastic spoils environmental aesthetics and
hygiene.
Plastics in landfills emit hazardous VOCs during
incineration.
Plastics in soil can lessen the growth of plants
and trees by blocking the absorption of
minerals, water and other nutrients.
Plastics can cause land slides.
29. Industries emit large amounts of carbon
monoxide, dioxin and hydrogen
cyanide.
These gaseous pollutants contaminate
air and cause respiratory
diseases, nervous system disorders and
immune suppression in human beings.
30. Plastics wastes dumped in water courses
contaminate and poisons freshwater life.
On leaching in water, plastic can easily
enter the human food chain and harm
human health.
Plastic debrises clog the sewage drains and
create stagnant water which will be an
ideal habitat for mosquitoes and other
parasites.
Chocked drains cause flooding during
monsoons.
31. Effects of plastics on
marine life include the
entanglement and
ingestion of plastic debris
by marine vertebrates .
Over a million sea birds
and mammals die
annually from ingestion
of plastics.
Plastic is mistaken for
food and is eaten up by
birds, turtles, seals, and
whales. This may choke
them, poison them or
impede digestion and
causing starvation.
32. Marine turtles become
entangled in discarded
nets and were found
dead with plastic
garbage bags in the
stomach.
Some marine mammals
swallow plastic
bags, which resemble
jelly fish in sea water.
About 44% of sea birds
eat plastics mistaken for
food leading to
suffocation or blockage
of digestive tracts and
eventually death.
33. Toxic chemicals contained in plastics cause
neurological problems, cancer, birth defects, hormonal
changes gastric ulcer, thyroid problems and
cardiovascular disease.
The endocrine disrupting chemicals(EDCs) in plastics
have been contributing to obesity and diabetes.
The plastic bottles may leach cancer-causing
chemicals such as phthalates (a component makes
plastic pliable) and Bis-phenol A ( a component harden
plastic).
Bis-phenol A(BPA) a synthetic estrogen, can affect the
hearts of women and can permanently damage DNA
of mice.
34. The raw material for plastic bags are petroleum
and natural gas (manufacture take 4% of world’s
oil production).
The plastic grocery bags are made from ethylene,
a non-renewable resource.
The plastic bags take 100s of years to break down.
HDPE Chemical barrels
polyethylene LDPE Thin filmy bags
LLDPE Thick glossy bags
35. Prevention strategies
REFUSE – REDUCE – RECYCLE –
refuse REUSE –
Choose Recycling is
plastic carry
products Reuse non- not a
bags at the
with toxic sustainable
grocer’s
minimum containers solution.
shop. Use
natural fiber plastic and goods. -can be last
bags. packaging option.
36. Dr.B.Victor is a highly experienced postgraduate
biology teacher, recently retired from the reputed
educational institution - St. Xavier’ s
College, Palayamkottai, India-627001.
He was the dean of sciences and assistant controller
of examinations.
He has more than 32 years of teaching and research
experience
He has taught a diversity of courses ranging from
pre- university to post graduate classes.
Send your comments to : bonfiliusvictor@gmail.com