Plastic Is Killing Us

Image by tedxgp2 via FlickrBy Norma Holt

Drowning in Plastic

Try to avoid it and you quickly find that it is impossible. In today's world just about everything comes in some type of plastic wrapping or container.

The oceans and everything alive is drowning in it as the chemical nature of the substance does not break down and particles are becoming the new covering on the beach, the new food forced down baby animal's necks, the top layer over the sea and the toxic waste that will eventually kill us all.

Recently the Canadian government declared bisphenol A (BPA) a 'dangerous substance' and thereby opened the door for it to be banned. This is a chemical found in hard plastics used for containers such as baby bottles, food storage boxes, drink bottles, and as a sealant in dentistry.

It has attracted some media attention in Australia but the Food and Drug authority here sees no reason to ban it. In fact they are so slow to even consider that it might be a toxin.

Scientists have published reports that prove this chemical leeches into food when the plastic is heated, as in the bottling process or even in the microwave where it may be simply warmed up for consumption. To have it removed from the market place would involve a hefty change of practices for most manufacturers and a great big increase in costs.

But how did we let this happen? A glance around the supermarket demonstrates that things that were once packaged in glass or a better substance are now contained in plastic. Such things as sauces, fruit, frozen meals, spices and even mustard comes in it now with no choice to buy it any other way. The shopper wants the product and apparently does not take into account that the wrapping might just give them cancer.

There are no warning labels or ways to alert the buyer who happily puts the product into the shopping basket and continues on home.

Everything made of plastic eventually gets into the landfill and then the oceans. While wave action will break it into ever smaller particles there is no way it will disappear. Ultimately it may sink to the bottom or be washed ashore onto the beach.

Fish are suffering as shown by salmon in a Canadian river where they no longer go to the depths to avoid the sun and heat of the surface. Their exterior is showing signs of sunburn and the reproduction of their species is suffering as well.

Many ocean animals are becoming extinct and fishermen around the world catch fewer in their nets and many have retired because they cannot survive.

People are just too relaxed about what they buy and of the danger some products may cause them. This site is a wake up call and demonstrates what plastic is doing to the environment

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