#9 Plastics__Recycling__Waste__
Plastics and Health
Page 1: Introduction to Plastics and Health
Overview of the impact of plastics on health and the environment.
Page 2: Group Discussion Activity
Format: Students get into groups of 4.
Duration: 10 minutes for discussion on the assigned questions.
Class Discussion: A class-wide conversation will follow covering responses to each question.
Page 3: Key Discussion Questions
Misunderstanding of Recycling Symbols:
Question: How does the misunderstanding of the "chasing arrows" recycling symbol contribute to plastic waste issues?
Consumer Awareness: What steps could be taken to improve consumer awareness and recycling effectiveness?
Responsibility for Plastic Waste:
Question: Who should address the plastic waste crisis—consumers, corporations, or governments?
Blame Dynamics: Individuals are often blamed for recycling failures while corporations produce single-use plastics, and governments struggle to regulate.
Policy Proposals: Discuss policies or changes that could shift responsibility from consumers to those who create waste.
Page 4: Definition of Plastic
Definition: A material consisting of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic compounds.
Malleability: Plastics can be molded into solid objects due to their malleable nature.
Plasticity: This property involves permanent deformation without breaking, applicable to all materials.
Page 5: Plastic Production
Overview of the methods and processes involved in plastic production.
Page 6: Production and Recycling Process for Plastics
Stages in Production:
Distillation: Extracts oil from the earth.
Oil Drilling: Fundamental source of raw materials.
Polymerization: Process of creating long-chain molecules that form plastics.
Recycling Statistics:
9% of plastic is recycled into new products.
79% ends up in landfills and oceans.
12% is incinerated.
Page 9: Environmental Impact of Plastic Production
Source of Plastics: Fossil fuels.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: 184 to 213 million metric tons emitted annually from refinement.
Future Projections: By 2060, emissions from the plastic lifecycle expected to exceed 4.3 billion tons, assuming current trends continue.
Page 10: Lifecycle of Plastic Pollution
Lifecycle Components:
Oil extraction and plastic production.
Points of sale and consumer usage.
Disposal methods including dumping and burning.
Page 12: Decomposition of Plastic
Overview: Larger plastic items, such as bottles and packaging, become brittle and break down over time.
Degradation Factors: Sunlight, oxidation, friction, animal activity.
Page 13: Photodegradation of Plastic
Definition: The process by which UV radiation from sunlight breaks down plastic into smaller pieces over time.
Landfills: Conditions in landfills hinder photodegradation due to lack of light exposure.
Page 14: Longevity of Plastics (Ward and Reddy, 2020)
Findings on plastic lifespan:
Longevity varies by type of plastic.
All plastics have lifetimes exceeding 100 years.
Most plastics ever produced are still in existence.
External exposures (heat, UV rays) can impact longevity.
Page 15: Plastic Production Statistics
Historical Production Trends:
1.9 tons in 1950 to 348 million tons in 2017; projected 400.3 million tons in 2022.
Cumulative total of 9.2 billion tons as of 2017.
Energy Trends: Increased fossil fuel consumption likely tied to production surges in plastics.
Page 16: Microplastics Definition
Definition: Plastics less than five millimeters in length, often comparable to the size of a pencil eraser.
Emergence of Field: Limited understanding of microplastics and their environmental impacts.
Page 17: Examples of Macroplastics
Types:
Rope fragments
Plastic packaging
Jugs and nets
Cigarette butts
Plastic bottles
Page 18: Sources of Microplastics
Types Present in Various Products:
Cosmetics (e.g., exfoliants, glitter)
Melamine sponges
Clothing fibers
Page 19: Origins of Microplastics in Oceans
Sources and Contributions:
Car tires (28%)
City dust (24%)
Synthetic textiles (unknown percentage)
Road markings (7%)
Marine coatings (3.7%)
Personal care products (35%)
Plastic pellets (0.3%)
Page 23: Health Effects of Microplastics in Humans
Entry Routes:
Ingestion and inhalation are ways microplastics can enter the human body.
Potential impacts include cellular damage, inflammation, and DNA alteration.
Page 24: Bioaccumulation of Toxins
Definition: The process by which toxins gradually build up in individual organisms, entering the food web.
Page 25: Mechanisms of Bioaccumulation
Influencing Factors:
Atmospheric deposition and transport
River runoff
Biological uptake by various organisms (e.g., fish, birds)
Page 26: Endocrine Disruptors in Plastics
Definition: Chemicals that mimic or interfere with hormones in the body, linked to various health problems.
Common Endocrine Disruptors:
Bisphenol A (BPA): Found in food storage containers.
Dioxins: Released during burning and linked to environmental health threats.
PFAS: Industrial uses in non-stick surfaces and coatings.
Phthalates: Used to make plastics more flexible and commonly found in various consumer products.
Page 28: Recycling Overview
Definition: The process of collecting and processing material that would otherwise be discarded and transforming it into new products.
Page 30: Recycling Rates
Current Statistics: In the United States, only about 5% to 6% of plastics are recycled each year.
Page 31: Challenges in Recycling Plastics
Types of Plastics: There are thousands of different plastics, making them incompatible for melting down together.
Degradation: Plastics degrade after one or two uses, complicating recycling efforts.
Page 32: Conclusions on Plastic Waste Management
Findings:
Only about 10% of plastics are made from recycled materials.
Most plastic waste (260 metric tons) is either landfilled or incinerated.
More plastic waste leaks into the environment than is recycled.
Page 33: The 7 Types of Plastics
Types & Examples:
PETE (Polyethylene terephthalate): Soda bottles, water bottles.
HDPE (High-density polyethylene): Milk jugs, detergent bottles.
PVC (Polyvinyl chloride): Pipes, clear medical tubing.
LDPE (Low-density polyethylene): Grocery bags, condiment bottles.
PP (Polypropylene): Yogurt cups, plastic bottle caps.
PS (Polystyrene): Disposable cups and food containers.
Other: Miscellaneous plastics and bioplastics.
Page 34: Case Study on Plastic Leakage
Focus: Midway Island as an example of the consequences of plastic leakage in the environment.
Page 35: Midway Island Overview
Location: North Pacific Ocean, approximately 1,300 miles northwest of Honolulu, Hawaii.
Ecological Importance: A wildlife refuge and home to significant seabird populations, including the Laysan albatross.
Page 36: Impact of Plastic on Birds
Ingestion of Plastics: Birds mistake plastic debris for food, affecting their health and survival.
Health Consequences: Digestive blockages, starvation, and exposure to toxic chemicals leaching from plastics.
Page 39: Human Contributions to Plastic Pollution
Main Causes:
Waste mismanagement leading to landfills impacting marine life.
Fishing gear and packaging waste from ships contributing to ocean debris.
Single-use plastic consumption patterns exacerbate ocean pollution.
Page 40: Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Humans
Food Chain Contamination: As microplastics accumulate, they can enter the human food system through seafood.
Economic Impact: Ocean pollution affects tourism, fishing industries, and overall marine ecosystem health.
Environmental Health: Declining biodiversity and ecosystem services vital to human survival are threatened by plastic pollution.