Harmful Effects of Plastic Essay Example for Free

Harmful Effects of Plastic EssayComposition and Types of PlasticA moldable is made up principally of a binder together with moldableizers, fillers, pigments, and other additives. The binder gives a plastic its main characteristics and usually its name. Thus, polyvinyl chloride is both the name of a binder and the name of a plastic into which it is made. Binders may be natural materials, e.g., cellulose derivatives, casein, or milk protein, but ar more prevalently synthetic resins. In either case, the binder materials consist of precise long chainlike molecules called polymers. Cellulose derivatives are made from cellulose, a by nature occurring polymer casein is also a naturally occurring polymer. Synthetic resins are polymerized, or built up, from small unproblematic molecules called monomers. Plasticizers are added to a binder to increase flexibility and toughness.Fillers are added to improve particular properties, e.g., hardness or resistance to shock. Pigments are us ed to impart various colors. Virtually any desired color or shape and many combinations of the properties of hardness, durability, elasticity, and resistance to heat, cold, and acid can be obtained in a plastic. There are two basic types of plastic thermosetting, which cannot be resoftened after being subjected to heat and obligate and thermoplastic resin, which can be repeatedly softened and remolded by heat and pressure. When heat and pressure are applied to a thermoplastic binder, the chainlike polymers slide past each other, giving the material plasticity. However, when heat and pressure are initially applied to a thermosetting binder, the molecular chains become cross-linked, thus preventing any slippage if heat and pressure are reapplied.-Be Wise With PlasticsPlastics are everywhere and in most cases are very low-priced and convenient. But, increasingly scientists are finding that a hidden cost may be our health. Some common plastics release harmful chemicals into our air, f oods, and drinks. Maybe you cant see or taste it, but if youre serving your dinner on plastic, youre likely eating a little plastic for dinner.beyond the immediate health risks, our increasing use of plastics is causing an enormous amount of enduring pollution. Every oddball of plastic that has ever been created still exists (except for the little bit that has been incine yardd, which releases toxic chemicals). In the ocean, plastic waste is accumulating in giant gyres of debris where, among other thing, fish are ingesting toxic plastic bits at a rate which will soon make them unsafe to eat.Plastic is generally toxic to produce, toxic to use, and toxic to turn out of. Luckily, we can all make safer choices.What to DoThe best thing to do is to reduce your use of plastic. discover for natural alternatives like textiles, solid wood, bamboo, glass, stainless steel, etc. Also, look for items with less (or no) plastic packaging. If you do spoil plastic, opt for products you can recycl e or re-purpose (e.g. a yogurt tub can be re-used to workshop crayons). And, get to know your plastics starting with this guide The most common plastics have a resin figure in a chasing arrow symbol (often found on the bottom of the product). PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) invalidate viridity Uses Soda Bottles, Water Bottles, Cooking Oil Bottles ConcernsCan peel antimony and phthalates.HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) SAFERCommon Uses draw Jugs, Plastic Bags, Yogurt CupsPVC (Polyvinyl Chloride, aka Vinyl) AVOIDCommon Uses Condiment Bottles, Cling Wrap, Teething Rings, Toys, Shower Curtains Concerns Can leach lead and phthalates among other things. Can also off-gas toxic chemicals. LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene)SAFERCommon Uses Produce Bags, pabulum fund ContainersPP (Polypropylene) SAFERCommon Uses Bottle Caps, Storage Containers, DishwarePS (Polystyrene, aka Styrofoam) AVOIDCommon Uses Meat Trays, Foam Food Containers CupsConcerns Can leach carcinogenic styrene and estro genic alkylphenols Other this is a catch-all category which includesPC (Polycarbonate) AVOID can leach Bisphenol-A (BPA). It also includes ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), SAN (Styrene Acrylonitrile), Acrylic, and Polyamide. These plastics can be a safer option because they are typically very durable and resistant to high heat resulting in less leaching. Their drawbacks are that they are not typically recyclable and some need additional safety research. New plant-based, biodegradable plastics like PLA (Polylactic Acid) also give into the 7 category.