Will Our Existence be Known as The Plasticene Era?

Since the end of World War II plastics have taken over our world. Lightweight and virtually indestructible, plastic has replaced wood, glass, and even metal in furniture, building, construction, storage, just about everything we use. Plastic’s indestructibility is just now beginning to show its long term impact on our environment.

Plastic Pollution in Our Oceans

Halfway between Hawaii and California is the North Pacific Gyre. It is estimated that in this region alone plastic outweighs plankton by 6:1. As time passes, plastic breaks into smaller and smaller pieces but it doesn’t go away. Plastic absorbs harmful toxins and pollutants such as PCBs in very high concentrations. In the ocean clear plastic looks like jellyfish or squid and is being consumed as such by fish, birds, and mammals passing on these toxins. The stomach content of seagulls contain as many as 30 different plastic pieces ranging from plastic bottle caps to disposable lighters. The food chain always leads to us.

Plastic Toxin

There has been much controversy about the shatterproofing agent BPA or bisphenol A. It acts as a synthetic estrogen. Researchers at the Yale School of Medicine have linked this chemical additive to problems with brain function and mood disorders through tests done on primates in doses below what is considered acceptable by humans. Babies and young children are at the highest risk. Heat causes BPA to leach out of plastic into food and liquid at accelerated rates. Microwaving plastic bottles and food containers increases leaching.

Toxins in Plastics

Manufacturing and burning plastics release toxins into the environment. The main culprits are the carcinogenic dioxins and cyanide. A number 3 plastic container is made of  polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and can leach toxic chemicals when new. A house fire releases dioxins from PVC pipes, vinyl siding, window frames, vinyl flooring, and counters.

Symptoms Of Plastic Poisoning

Silicone poisoning most often occurs when breast implants prior to ten years ago rupture. Doctors still advocate that no illness is caused by silicone in the human system. Those that suffer have a slew of symptoms ranging from mild fatigue through spasmodic delirium to coma and death resulting.

Studies are underway linking breast cancer and immune deficencies to BPA.

Chewing on plastics leads to lead poisoning. Children naturally put toys in their mouths. Who hasn’t had a pacifier or teething ring? Even as adults we chew on our pens and straws. There are agencies advocating safety in schools by eliminating lead from plastic toys and furniture.

Plastics touch every aspect of our lives. Up to 96% of us have some form of plastic in our systems. Our plastic legacy will far outlive us. If we don’t learn to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle will there even be a future generation to one day study our archeological remains of the Plasticene Era?