This is a critical aspect of the final project, and students will need to understand this term clearly. Relevant examples of lifecycle analysis are provided by Thornton (2002) and WRAP (2006) and this topic is discussed, and advocated, in more detail in Shaxson (2009). environmental teacherspayteachers Swan et al. We are indebted to James Joseph and Claire Rawlinson in the editorial office and Jessica Mnatzaganian in the journals production office at the Royal Society. (Illegal dumping of plastic and overflowing of containment structures also play a role.) Their account of the benefits that plastics would bring to a person born nearly 70 years ago, at the beginning of this plastic age, was told with much optimism: It is a world free from moth and rust and full of colour, a world largely built up of synthetic materials made from the most universally distributed substances, a world in which nations are more and more independent of localised naturalised resources, a world in which man, like a magician, makes what he wants for almost every need out of what is beneath and around him (Yarsley & Couzens 1945, p. 152). Model for students writing those items on sticky notes (one sticky note per item). Shaxson (2009) considers this interface from the perspectives of industry, the scientist and the policymaker. They perform a plastics audit of classroom materials to understand how ubiquitous and useful plastics are in modern life. Recycling rates vary dramatically from country to country, and only northern European countries obtain rates greater than 50 percent. Trash is also carried to sea by major rivers, which act as conveyor belts, picking up more and more trash as they move downstream. These approaches have benefits compared with disposal to landfill since some of the energy content of plastics is recovered. 2009). This approach has shown that chemicals used in the manufacture of plastics are present in the human population, and studies using laboratory animals as model organisms indicate potential adverse health effects of these chemicals (Talsness et al. The problem with plastic waste is that it does not break down like materials found in nature. (2009) consider that contamination of remote habitats, such as the deep sea and the polar regions, is likely to increase as debris is carried there from more densely populated areas. Step 3: Prior to class, create the x- and y-axis for the bar graph on the board so that it is ready for students to populate as they finish their inventories. For instance the type, grade, and purity, as well as what method was used to manufacture the original plastic, can determine whether a municipality can recycle the product. In addition, the traditional approach to studying the toxicity of chemicals has been to focus only on exposure to individual chemicals in relation to disease or abnormalities. Plastic contains numerous compounds that have been accused of being endocrine disruptors and carcinogens. Human action has triggered a vast cascade of environmental problems that now threaten the continued ability of both natural and human systems to flourish. Can it be saved? 2008). increase/incentivize material reduction and reuse, plastics are a substantial part of domestic and industrial wastes in landfill. 2009). Measures to reduce the quantity of plastic debris in the natural environment include: (d) educational signage to reduce contamination via storm drains and (e) via industrial spillage, together with (f) booms to intercept and facilitate the removal of riverine debris. From the plastic keyboard weuse to type this blog, the micro-beads in the facial foam weuse to wash ourfaces every morning, to the water bottle and disposableutensils we eat and drink out of, plastic has become an ubiquitous and almost indispensable part of our lives. cellulose), or synthetic polymers made from biomass monomers (e.g. 2009). pollution plastic template growing slide The .gov means its official. 2009). Waste generation statistics vary among countries and according to the rationale for data collection. Virgin plastic polymers are rarely used by themselves and typically the polymer resins are mixed with various additives to improve performance. 2009). Without their guidance and patience this volume would not have been possible. Phthalates and BPA are detectable in aquatic environments, in dust and, because of their volatility, in air (Rudel et al. 2006). Have students create a bar graph to visualize the data gathered by the teams. Every year, about 8 million tons of plastic waste escapes into the oceans from coastal nations. measuring concentration of environmental contaminants in human tissue) provides an integrated measure of an organism's exposure to contaminants from multiple sources. pollution activities This could present a direct and important route for the transport of chemicals to higher animals such as seabirds (Teuten et al. Substantial quantities of plastic have accumulated in the natural environment and in landfills. 
government site. An overarching theme to these documentaries is the way plastic pollution is impacting our oceans and marine life. Although thermoplastics have been recycled since the 1970s, the proportion of material recycled has increased substantially in recent years and represents one of the most dynamic areas of the plastic industry today (WRAP 2006, 2008). https://www.britannica.com/science/plastic-pollution. Tech Setup: 1 computer per classroom, Monitor/screen, Projector. Change). 2009). Rising seas threaten the Gullah Geechee. 2009), while BPA is the monomer used for production of polycarbonate plastics as well as an additive used for production of PVC. The male reproductive tract is particularly sensitive to phthalate exposure. This approach has been used to examine component chemicals used in plastic production. Quantities are highly variable in time and space, but there are reports of more than 100 000 items m2 on some shorelines (Gregory 1978) and up to 3 520 000 items km2 at the ocean surface (Yamashita & Tanimura 2007). The net carbon dioxide emission may be less than that with conventional polymers, but it is not zero since farming and pesticide production have carbon dioxide outputs (WRAP 2009). Students inventory their classroom to begin to learn about the prevalence of plastic. Divide the room into a grid (5 x 6 units that go to the ceiling) and assign pairs or a small group of students to each unit of the grid.
Introduce students to the problem of plastic pollution and their project.
This is especially important in urban settings where increased consumption of on-the-go/fast food coupled, in some locations, with a reduction in the availability of bins as a consequence of concerns about terrorism is likely to result in increased littering. In Europe alone the plastics industry has a turnover in excess of 300 million euros and employs 1.6 million people (Plastics Europe 2008). Dropped on the ground, thrown out of a car window, heaped onto an already full trash bin, or inadvertently carried off by a gust of wind, they immediately begin to pollute the environment. This activity targets the following skills: The resources are also available at the top of the page. The potential for transport varies among contaminants, polymers and possibly also according to the state of environmental weathering of the debris. In 1907 the invention of Bakelite brought about a revolution in materials by introducing truly synthetic plastic resins into world commerce. Monitoring the abundance of debris is important to establish rates of accumulation and the effectiveness of any remediation measures. oceans biology befrienders debris garbage plastic plates and cutlery). From the first accounts of plastic in the environment, which were reported from the carcasses of seabirds collected from shorelines in the early 1960s (Harper & Fowler 1987), the extent of the problem soon became unmistakable with plastic debris contaminating oceans from the poles to the Equator and from shorelines to the deep sea. Biomonitoring (e.g. Plastics account for about ten percent of all discarded waste. 2009), and consumers are keen to recycle, but the small size and the diversity of different symbols to describe a product's potential recyclability, together with uncertainties as to whether a product will actually be recycled if it is offered for collection, can hinder engagement. Biopolymers that are designed to breakdown in an industrial composter are described as biodegradables while those that are intended to degrade in a domestic composter are known as compostable. This could be accomplished with improved waste management systems and recycling, better product design that takes into account the short life of disposable packaging, and reduction in manufacturing of unnecessary single-use plastics. A., Galloway T. S., Scarlett A., Henley W. E., Depledge M., Wallace R. B., Melzer D.2008, Association of urinary bisphenol A concentration with medical disorders and laboratory abnormalities in adults, Mato Y., Isobe T., Takada H., Kanehiro H., Ohtake C., Kaminuma T.2001, Plastic resin pellets as a transport medium for toxic chemicals in the marine environment, Quantitative analysis of small-plastic debris on beaches in the Hawaiian archipelago, Mee A., Rideout B. Production is expected to double by 2050. In any case, recycling does not really address plastic pollution, since recycled plastic is properly disposed of, whereas plastic pollution comes from improper disposal. A., Todd J. N., Austin G., Clark M., Wallace M. P.2007, Junk ingestion and nestling mortality in a reintroduced population of California Condors Gymnogyps californianus, Meeker J. D., Sathyanarayana S., Swan S. H.2009, Phthalates and other additives in plastics: human exposure and associated health outcomes, Synthetic polymers in the marine environment: a rapidly increasing, long-term threat, Moore C. J., Lattin G. L., Zellers A. F.2005, Working our way upstream: a snapshot of land based contributions of plastic and other trash to coastal waters and beaches of Southern California, Why public health agencies cannot depend on good laboratory practices as a criterion for selecting data: the case of bisphenol A. Phthalates and cumulative risk assessment: the tasks ahead. Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies In particular, unlike the case for experimental animal research on phthalates, there are now hundreds of experiments on laboratory animals using doses within the range of human exposures (Vandenberg et al. Tackling Marine Debris in the 21st century. Many of the current applications and the predicted benefits of plastic follow those outlined by Yarsley and Couzens in the 1940s. A whale shark swims beside a plastic bag in the Gulf of Aden near Yemen. Compared with materials in common use in the first half of the 20th century, such as glass, paper, iron, and aluminum, plastics have a low recovery rate. There is a role for individuals, via appropriate use and disposal, particularly recycling; for industry by adopting green chemistry, material reduction and by designing products for reuse and/or end-of-life recyclability and for governments and policymakers by setting standards and targets, by defining appropriate product labelling to inform and incentivize change and by funding relevant academic research and technological developments. This will require consistency of policy measures and facilities among regions and will also require the cooperation of industry since ultimately there needs to be an acceptance of reduced usage and hence reduced income associated with the production of plastics from virgin polymer. WRAP 2009), regulations (such as the Canadian Government restrictions on BPA in baby bottles), taxes (such as land fill tax, which incentivizes the diversion of waste from landfill to recycling), standards (such as EN 13432 covering compostable plastics) and allocation of funds for research, innovation and capacity building. (2009) have reported that exposure of adults in the USA to BPA is likely to occur from multiple sources and that the half-life of BPA is longer than previously estimated, and the very high exposure of premature infants in neonatal intensive-care units to both BPA and phthalates is of great concern (Calafat et al. Understanding environmental pollution. Updates? 2009). Students learn basic background information about the plastics crisis, including what defines plastics, where plastic pollution comes from, and how it gets into the ocean. These data indicate detrimental effects in the general population may be caused by chronic low-dose exposures (separately or in combination) and acute exposure to higher doses, but the full extent to which chemicals are transported to the human population by plastics is yet to be confirmed. Such compounds are toxic to humans in high doses, killing the endocrine system. 2009). Step 2: Be aware of plastic use that may be sensitive topics for students (e.g., hearing aids, prosthetics, and dental devices). (2009) outline the benefits and limitations of these strategies. Examining the relationship between plastic additives and adverse human effects presents a number of challenges. (2009), the ingenuity of the separation procedures for recycling is evident (Fourier-transform near-infrared spectroscopy, optical colour separation, X-ray detection), but one cannot help but wonder why similar ingenuity has not been focused on designing products for better end-of-life recyclability. Coca-Cola, Nestl, and Pepsico were the most popular brands. In the marine environment, plastic debris such as pellets, fragments and microplastics have been shown to contain organic contaminants including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, petroleum hydrocarbons, organochlorine pesticides (2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1 trichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites; together with hexachlorinated hexane (HCH)), polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs), alkylphenols and BPA at concentrations ranging from ng g1 to g g1. These activities are shared among several government departments, driven by national pressures, international obligations and European directives. Due to various currents carrying waste, plastic could be detected off the coasts of certain islands. As a result of its versatility, plastic has replaced many traditional materials (i.e. shot blasting or scrubbers used in proprietary hand cleansers) and spillage of plastic pellets and powders that are used as a feedstock for the manufacture of most plastic products. The conveniences plastics offer, however, led to a throw-away culture that reveals the materials dark side: today, single-use plastics account for 40 percent of the plastic produced every year. 2007, 2009), but will depend upon the nature of the habitat and the amount and type of plastics present. wood, metals, glass, stone, paper). 
This lists the logos of programs or partners of, Chris Jordan: Midway: Message from the Gyre, United Nations Environment Programme: Beat Plastic Pollution, Center for Biological Diversity: Ocean Plastics Pollution. Pollution harms the environment, the health of all species, and economic systems all over the world. The plastic waste trade was described as "a major contributor" to marine litter. 2004), while mussels were shown to retain plastic for over 48 days (Browne et al. Accumulation of plastic debris in the environment and the associated consequences are largely avoidable. However, there is a pressing need for education to reduce littering at source (figure1d and e). chemical material that can be easily shaped when heated to a high temperature. 2009; Gregory 2009). These omissions aside, to be of greatest value the science herein needs to be communicated beyond a purely scientific audience (see recommendations in table1). Shaxson presents evidence from case studies on policies relating to plastic litter in the marine environment and land-based plastic waste. Science, 347(6223), pp.768-771. 2009). BPA concentrations in aquatic environments vary considerably, but can reach 21 g l1 in freshwater systems and concentrations in sediments are generally several orders of magnitude higher than in the water column. No state is losing land like Louisiana. In fact the predictions were how much brighter and cleaner a world [it would be] than that which preceded this plastic age (Yarsley & Couzens 1945, p. 152). A., Hamber J. Research on experimental animals informs epidemiologists about the potential for adverse effects in humans and thus plays a critical role in chemical risk assessments. The persistence of plastic debris and the associated environmental hazards are illustrated poignantly by Barnes et al.
This indicated that despite greater awareness among the general public about the problems of littering, the propensity to litter had actually increased; five key attitudes and behaviours were noted and these offer valuable insight for future research (EnCams 2006).
They consider their own regular interactions with plastic and how the utility and durability of plastic has contributed to its widespread use. This is of critical importance because epidemiological studies have reported associations between phthalate levels and a number of adverse health effects in humans (Swan et al. Despite their buoyant nature, plastics can become fouled with marine life and sediment causing items to sink to the seabed.
A whale shark swims beside a plastic bag in the Gulf of Aden near Yemen. Plastic pollution has also been mentioned in the article as being extremely harmful to giant marine mammals. Plastic trash has become so ubiquitous it has prompted efforts to write a global treaty negotiated by the United Nations. While selected citations are given to original sources of information, we primarily refer the reader to the discussion of a particular topic, and the associated references, in the Theme Issue papers.
However, ingestion is likely to be particularly problematic for species that specifically select plastic items because they mistake them for their food. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Bottles, straws, stirrers, straws and container caps made of plastic. Below given are the causes of plastic pollution: The world's population is growing, and people are becoming increasingly reliant on plastic. EN 13432, ASTM D6400-99) and associated product labelling to indicate appropriate usage and appropriate disposal. Tell students that they will be taking two-column notes as they watch. They show that to be effective we need to consider the three R's in combination with each other and together with a fourth R, energy recovery. They do not degrade effectively in landfills and little is known about the timescale, extent or consequences of their degradation in natural environments (Barnes et al. Reproductive effects have also been described in mice and guinea pigs. Sustainability Policy| are current disposal strategies sustainablelack of space in landfill? Careers, plastic, polymer, debris, endocrine disruption, phthalates, waste management, Adibi J. J., Perera F. P., Jedrychowski W., Camann D. E., Barr D., Jacek R., Whyatt R. M.2003, Prenatal exposures to phthalates among women in New York City and Krakow, Poland, Characterization of phthalate exposure among pregnant women assessed by repeat air and urine samples, Green chemistry: the emergence of a transformative framework, Handbook of green chemistrygreen catalysis. Although whale sharks are the biggest fish in the sea, they're still threatened by ingesting small bits of plastic. 2009; Oehlmann et al. (2009) who describe debris that had originated from an aeroplane being ingested by an albatross some 60 years after the plane had crashed. But once caught up in ocean currents, it can be transported around the world. 
PLA) or synthetic polymers made from synthetic monomers derived from biomass (e.g. Discarded fishing nets result in ghost fishing that may result in losses to commercial fisheries (Moore 2008; Brown & Macfadyen 2007). (2009) show experimentally that degradation of biodegradable, as opposed to compostable, polymers can be very slow in home composters (typically less than 5% loss of biomass in 90 days). In the stomachs of certain marine species, including sea turtles, large amounts of plastic were being discovered. 2009). Recycling bins set side by side with trash bins. 2009). These attractive qualities of plastic have led us to use the materialin virtually every form and way we can. Plastic fragments ranging in size from 2 to 5 mm are known as micro debris. 
Studies of mixtures of chemicals therefore also need to extend beyond mixtures of the same class of chemical, such as mixtures of different phthalates or of different PCBs. Allowing for variability between habitats and locations, it seems inevitable, however, that the quantity of debris in the environment as a whole will continue to increaseunless we all change our practices. They are often described as renewable polymers since the original biomass, for example corn grown in agriculture, can be reproduced. A recent report by EnCams in the UK examined attitudes towards littering in 2001 and then again in 2006. (2009) consider it could be possible to divert the majority of plastic from landfill over the next few decades (figure1ac). 2009; Hopewell et al. 2009). Each year, 1.1 to 8.8 million tonnes of plastic waste is predicted to reach the ocean from coastal areas. Here in Singapore, we continue to double-bag our groceries, use disposable utensils and enjoy our lavishly packaged products without much of a second thought. When human activities, such as the use of fertiliser on farms, result in chemical runoff into rivers that eventually flow into the ocean, this kind of pollution arises. The concept of toxicity and thus the experimental methods for studying the health impacts of the chemicals in plastic, and other chemicals classified as endocrine disruptors, is currently undergoing a transformation (a paradigm inversion) since the disruption of endocrine regulatory systems requires approaches very different from the study of acute toxicants or poisons. 2009; Teuten et al.
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