Kids are much more vulnerable to adverse health effects caused by environmental toxins like plastic. They are still developing – their gut, immune system, brain and reproductive systems are still under construction! This makes them more prone to the negative impacts of plastic exposure.
Early studies about the health effects of chemicals from plastics show that they may affect the: Brain. Endocrine system (the system that controls hormones, or the chemicals that regulate metabolism) Immune system (the system that helps keep you from getting sick)
While some plastics are eco-friendly and may be safe for kids, others contain harmful chemicals or cause dangerous pollution during manufacturing. It's just about impossible to avoid plastics altogether, but you can look for plastics that are safer for your family and the environment.
Plastic waste floating in the water can look a lot like food to marine animals. 33% of fishes were found to have consumed plastic, which is chemical and toxic, and poses threats to their health or even kill them.
Plastic sticks around in the environment for ages, threatening wildlife and spreading toxins. Plastic also contributes to global warming. Almost all plastics are made from chemicals that come from the production of planet-warming fuels (gas, oil and even coal).
Toxic effects
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. This can cause a range of potentially harmful effects on the species that drink the water.
The study showing that micro- and nanoplastics cross the blood-brain barrier in animals also found that plastics negatively impact neuronal cells in the brain. In the presence of foreign microplastics, brain cells essentially killed themselves.
The harmful chemicals released from plastic products throughout their entire life cycle can pose a serious risk to humans and the environment, including when waste is not properly managed, finding its way to air, water and soils.
Plastic pollution reduces our waterways' recreational and aesthetic value, interferes with navigation, and disrupts commercial and recreational fishing. Microplastics also pose a risk to human health.
Plastic is a major contributor to both land and water pollution. When it's not properly disposed of, it can end up in our oceans and rivers, harming marine life. It can also end up in landfills, where it takes centuries to decompose. Second, there's the issue of deforestation.
The adverse effects of plastic are particularly acute children in the womb and young ones, with increased risks of prematurity, stillbirth, birth defects of the reproductive organs, neurodevelopmental impairment, impaired lung growth, and childhood cancer (Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Health, 2023).
Some plastic toys are unsafe for kids as they leach and contain dangerous toxins, such as DEHP, BPA, and phthalates. Avoid toys made from PVC (plastic #3) or plastic #7, and consider toys made from wood, bamboo, or silicone over plastic.
Scientists in the US and Canada studying the effects of bisphenol-A (BPA), an ingredient of polycarbonate plastic used to make common everyday items for storing food and medicines, found it caused loss of connections between brain cells in primates and may lead to disruption in memory and learning as well as depression ...
Plasticity refers to the brain's malleability or ability to change; it does not imply that the brain is plastic. Neuro refers to neurons, the nerve cells that are the building blocks of the brain and nervous system. Thus, neuroplasticity allows nerve cells to change or adjust.
They are not easy to decompose, which means they are left lying all around and floating on oceans and lakes. The raw materials used to make plastic are extracted from natural gas and petroleum. These are non-renewable sources, and their extraction and production emit greenhouse gases that contribute to global change.
Plastic casting resins are liquid plastics, such as epoxy. Poisoning can occur from swallowing plastic casting resin. Resin fumes may also be poisonous.
Plastic is toxic and can kill wildlife or make them more susceptible to disease. Animals can become trapped and injured by plastic and it disrupts habitats, making it hard for some species to live and breed naturally, leading to depletions in populations.
And because plastic takes over 400 years to decompose (break down), it stays in the natural world, causing damage, for a very long time.
A plastic. is a kind of material that is made by people and can be formed into almost any shape. Most plastics are strong, long-lasting, and lightweight. They resist damage by water, heat, chemicals, and electricity. In addition, plastics can be made in many colors.
Plastic was invented by mistake!
Instead of creating shellac-like material, he created plastic. After World War I, the world realized the importance of petroleum and natural gas even more. This situation lead to worse consequences for the production of plastic and eventually for the environment.
Plastic's Contribution to Climate Change. Plastics are threatening the ability of the global community to keep global temperature rise below 1.5°C, as greenhouse gases (GHG) are emitted throughout the plastic life cycle. Indeed, extraction, refining and manufacture of plastics are all carbon intensive activities.
In fact, plastics impact the life of every person every day and everywhere. Without plastics, food waste would increase. Without plastics, fuel costs would increase due to the heavier vehicles. Without plastics, medical care would be very difficult if not impossible.