PLASTIC - IMPACTS ON HUMAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Plastic products represent a significant health hazard not only to people, but also to animals, and they disrupt the environment.
Danger/issues come in 8 major forms:
1-Direct ingestion
2-Indirect ingestion from run-off
3-Inhalation
4-Air pollution
5-Excess waste
6-High energy required to recycle
7-Reduced effectiveness after recycling process
8-Physical obstables for animals
Keep in mind that recycled plastics are more vulnerable to chemical breakdown from wear and temperature changes. Have you ever noticed a bottle of water tasting a bit like plastic after haven been left out in the sun?
Plastics are made from Ethylene, which is a natural gas. Ethylene is released during the refining of petroleum. The gas is extracted and mixed with other additives (many are toxic) to produce the product. Depending on the type and use of the plastic product required, various resins and chemical additives will be utilized. There are 7 grades of plastic (1-7) that are used for plastic containers and product packaging. Please visit http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/plastics.html.
Some common toxic additives in plastics can be:
Benzene: a carcinogen
Styrene: a carcinogen, ranked as being extremely toxic
Acetone: Harmful to the heart, blood, kidneys and respiratory system
Sulfur Oxides: Harms respiratory system
Nitrous Oxides: harms heart, blood, central nervous system and behavioral development in children.
Ethylene Oxide: a carcinogen, toxic to Male and Female reproductive systems
Volatile Organic Compounds: a carcinogen, harmful to Male and Female reproductive capacity, causes behavioral development impairment in children.
Chemicals contained in plastics can negetively effect the endocrine system of the human body. The endocrine system regulates hormones for the nervous, reproductive and immune systems. If the immune system fails to function properly, the body is suceptable to sickness and disease. If the hormonal system becomes damaged, it can significantly damage human development aiding in mortality.
According to IPTF (International Plastic Task Force) at http://www.ecologycenter.org/iptf/southamerica/Problemofplasticreport.html;
"The answer, and accordant problem lies in the chemical/ structural make up of plastic products. Plasticisers are a body of chemicals which are used to soften plastic, mold it into form, and to make it less rigid. An overwhelming number of plasticisers contain phalates, a toxic chemical material and known endocrine disrupter. Phalates can be ingested by the body when using plastic products as drinking vessels or for the storage of foods. Carbonated drinks, fatty foods, and products heated in plastic cause leeching of these chemicals from the packaging into the food or drink product itself. Fatty foods are known to contain higher rates of phalates as the fats allow a greater potential for migration. When these chemicals migrate into the endocrine system, they mimic the body’s natural hormones. This confuses the endocrine system and is the gateway to serious health disorders. "
Danger/issues come in 8 major forms:
1-Direct ingestion
2-Indirect ingestion from run-off
3-Inhalation
4-Air pollution
5-Excess waste
6-High energy required to recycle
7-Reduced effectiveness after recycling process
8-Physical obstables for animals
Keep in mind that recycled plastics are more vulnerable to chemical breakdown from wear and temperature changes. Have you ever noticed a bottle of water tasting a bit like plastic after haven been left out in the sun?
Plastics are made from Ethylene, which is a natural gas. Ethylene is released during the refining of petroleum. The gas is extracted and mixed with other additives (many are toxic) to produce the product. Depending on the type and use of the plastic product required, various resins and chemical additives will be utilized. There are 7 grades of plastic (1-7) that are used for plastic containers and product packaging. Please visit http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/plastics.html.
Some common toxic additives in plastics can be:
Benzene: a carcinogen
Styrene: a carcinogen, ranked as being extremely toxic
Acetone: Harmful to the heart, blood, kidneys and respiratory system
Sulfur Oxides: Harms respiratory system
Nitrous Oxides: harms heart, blood, central nervous system and behavioral development in children.
Ethylene Oxide: a carcinogen, toxic to Male and Female reproductive systems
Volatile Organic Compounds: a carcinogen, harmful to Male and Female reproductive capacity, causes behavioral development impairment in children.
Chemicals contained in plastics can negetively effect the endocrine system of the human body. The endocrine system regulates hormones for the nervous, reproductive and immune systems. If the immune system fails to function properly, the body is suceptable to sickness and disease. If the hormonal system becomes damaged, it can significantly damage human development aiding in mortality.
According to IPTF (International Plastic Task Force) at http://www.ecologycenter.org/iptf/southamerica/Problemofplasticreport.html;
"The answer, and accordant problem lies in the chemical/ structural make up of plastic products. Plasticisers are a body of chemicals which are used to soften plastic, mold it into form, and to make it less rigid. An overwhelming number of plasticisers contain phalates, a toxic chemical material and known endocrine disrupter. Phalates can be ingested by the body when using plastic products as drinking vessels or for the storage of foods. Carbonated drinks, fatty foods, and products heated in plastic cause leeching of these chemicals from the packaging into the food or drink product itself. Fatty foods are known to contain higher rates of phalates as the fats allow a greater potential for migration. When these chemicals migrate into the endocrine system, they mimic the body’s natural hormones. This confuses the endocrine system and is the gateway to serious health disorders. "
Please visit IPTF (International Plastic Task Force) at http://www.ecologycenter.org/iptf/southamerica/Problemofplasticreport.html or http://www.ecologycenter.org/iptf/index.html
also...http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/plastics.html
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