PlasticsHazard PDF

The Hazards of Plastics
Julia Mackiewicz
PlasticFreeBottles.com GoGreenInStages.com
Precautionary Principle

consider strength of evidence act to protect people in the face of uncertainty the proponent of the activity, rather than the public, should bear the burden of proof When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically.
1998 Wingspread Statement
www.PlasticFreeBottles.com
What is Plastic?
A material made from petroleum capable of being molded, extruded or cast into various shapes. There are many different kinds of plastic made from different combinations of compounds.
- www.EPA.gov
Categories of Plastic
Other Plastics
High impact polystyrene (HIPS) Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) Polyester (PES) Polyamides (PA) (Nylons) Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (trade name Teflon) Polyurethanes (PU) Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) (Saran) Polyetherimide (PEI) (Ultem) Bayblend (PC/ABS) Polyethylene (PE) Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) Melamine formaldehyde (MF) Urea-formaldehyde (UF)
Of Most Concern To Researchers and Environmentalists
Production Statistics
Electrical and Electronic equipment and Motor Vehicle markets together accounted for 58 percent of plastics demand in 2003.
Medical Device Market Research. LLC, April 2004
200 million tonnes of plastic manufactured annually around world

Society of Plastics Engineers
= @ 61.5 pounds of plastic per person per year
Hazard Issues: the process

Poisons from Manufacturing
Exposure to Workers Waste Pollutants
Poison from Use

Leaching Air Quality
End of Life Issues

Incineration Landfill Ocean Debris
Direct & Indirect hazards

Personal
Leaching of chemicals into our water & food Absorption through skin Inhalation
Environmental
Landfill Contamination Groundwater Contamination Ocean & Air Pollution
Research at Silent Spring Institute
Biological Mechanisms
Damage to DNA Endocrine Disruptors Developmental Toxicants
Phthalates
Man-made chemicals used to soften hard plastics into soft rubber and jelly Phthalates in plastics can leach into your water or food if the container is heated. Phthalates are environmental contaminants that can exhibit hormone-like behavior by acting as endocrine disruptors in humans and animals.
Rolf Halden, Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Where to find Phthalates

Food packaging Pharmaceuticals Toys Nail polish Hairspray Soaps Shampoos Perfumes Moisturizers Pipes Car Parts Electrical Cables Detergents Adhesives Paints Inks Medical Tubing Footware
Bisphenol-A (BPA)
a chemical used during the manufacturing of certain hard, clear plastics used most often in the manufacturing of polycarbonate plastic (#7) Found in baby bottles, sippy cups, reusuable plastic water bottles
Why worry about BPA?

Capable of altering normal functioning of genes It mimics the hormone estrogen and disrupts reproductive functions Linked to

a decline in semen quality miscarriage certain birth defects urogenital abnormalities in male babies ADHD early onset of puberty in girls obesity type 2 diabetes prostate and breast cancer
Prevalence
BPA is the largest volume endocrine-disrupting chemical in commerce

Frederick vom Saal (biologist, University of Missouri)
Worldwide, more than 6 billion pounds of BPA are manufactured every year.
Centre for Science in the Public Interest, Nutrition Action Health Letter, April 2008
BPA - the Ongoing Debate

A scientific panel convened by the NIEHS in August 2007 warned that the wide range of adverse effects of low doses of BPA in laboratory animals exposed both during development and in adulthood is a great cause for concern
Were to the point now where 100% of industry-funded studies conclude that Bisphenol A at any dose causes no harm.and there are now hundreds of government-funded studies that show the opposite outcome.
Frederick vom Saal chair of panel NIEHS
Polyvinyl Chloride - PVC - #3

Nicknamed Poison Plastic extremely hazardous Found in packaging (blister pack), shower curtains, cling wraps for meat, building products and thousands of other products
PVC - Problems
In manufacturing: raw chemicals used include chlorine and cancer causing vinyl chloride In use:
fumes leaching of chemicals
In disposal:
very difficult to recycle dioxin emissions a major source of lead and cadmium
PolyStyrene #6
Food and drink containers (take-away), CD and video cases, foam packaging, some egg cartons May leach styrene a possible human carcinogen May be a hormone disruptor Heat affects leaching

Plastic, like diamonds, are forever.

Capt. Charles Moore Algalita Marine Research Foundation
Trash Vortex
Garbage Patch Issues

Entanglement 6 pounds of plastic for every pound of plankton Photo-degraded plastic polymers are sponges for DDT, PCBs & other toxins that dont dissolve in seawater Plastic pellets have been found to accumulate up to I million times the level of these poisons Hormone disruptors for sea animals and birds
What can WE do?

Support Right-to-Know policies Support prevention research Lobby government to prohibit toxics in consumer products Lobby government to enact Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws as is happening in Europe responsible for entire lifecycle of their products and their composition
What can I do?

Consider alternatives to plastic in food/drink preparation:
Stop buying/avoid using single use items: bottled water Use tap water- carry stainless steel bottles Cook and store food in glass, stainless steel, porcelain Cover leftovers in bowls with a plate Avoid Teflon pans use stainless steel Avoid canned food Use stainless steel/wood/bamboo/ vs plastic utensils, cutting boards Use bioplastics and bagasse instead of paper or plastic plates, cups & cutlery
Other Alternative Choices

Personal Care Products
Learn pseudonyms Eco-labels
Toys
Wood vs plastic yoyo!
Household
Cloth vs PVC shower curtain Cotton/wool/silk vs synthetic carpeting
Building Materials/Renovation
Wood/stone/bamboo ooring Wood/copper vs PVC windows and building supplies
Buy Green, Buy Fair, Buy Local, Buy Used

and most importantly
Buy Less
www.StoryOfStuff.com
Useful Resources
TheGreenGuide.com EWG.org (Environmental Working Group) PolarisInstitute.org SilentSpring.org ToxicNation.ca Alguita.com Besafenet.com PVCfree.org EPEAT.net

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The Hazards of Plastics

Of Most Concern To Researchers and Environmentalists

200 million tonnes of plastic manufactured annually around world

= @ 61.5 pounds of plastic per person per year

Hazard Issues: the process

Poison from Use

End of Life Issues

Direct & Indirect hazards

Research at Silent Spring Institute

Where to find Phthalates

Why worry about BPA?

BPA is the largest volume endocrine-disrupting chemical in commerce

BPA - the Ongoing Debate

Polyvinyl Chloride - PVC - #3

Plastic, like diamonds, are forever.

Garbage Patch Issues

What can WE do?

What can I do?

Other Alternative Choices

Buy Green, Buy Fair, Buy Local, Buy Used

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