What Makes Plastic So Deadly?
Plastic Pollution And Our Health
Created by One World One Ocean
Okay, so we know that plastic pollution is killing off marine life in large numbers because whales, dolphins, turtles and other aquatic animals either try to eat the stuff or they get entangled in it. Either way they tend to suffer slow, agonizing deaths.But we humans are at risk as well because plastic is made from chemicals that can be deadly. Yes, our ever-present plastics are crafted of toxins.
As this eye-opening graphic notes, 331 million barrels of petroleum and natural gas liquids were used to make the many plastic products used in America. That equates to a whopping 5% of our nation’s oil consumption.
From the start plastic contains the toxic chemicals phthalates, flame retardants and bisphenol A (BPA). But it gets worse because as plastics break down into microplastic particles they tend to attract more nasty toxins, including powerful pesticides like DDT, industrial-strength PCBs and PAHs, which are potentially cancer-causing chemicals that occur naturally in coal, crude oil and gasoline.
So, the next time you sit down for a seafood feast do so knowing that your dinner may have dined on these microplastics. After all, microplastics concentrations in the North Pacific’s circular currents have increased 100 TIMES in the past 40 years.
Here’s a just a sampling of what you can do to use less plastic:
- Just say NO to plastic shopping bags and acquire a reusable tote.
- Learn again to enjoy your favorite beverages without a plastic straw or opt for a stainless steel or other reusable version.
- Put down the plastic knives, forks and spoons and eat with metal cutlery.
- Can the to-go cups and lids and instead drink from a cool-looking and environmentally sound reusable cup.
- The same goes for the ubiquitous single-use plastic water bottles – we toss tens of millions of them each year!
- Buy clothing made from natural fibers rather than plastic-based synthetics.
We’re committed to keeping our oceans, coasts and beaches. We’re hoping you’ll join us in this worthy cause.