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PLASTIC
What is Plastic?
NOTE: The following information came from the World Book, which accepted contributions from the Polymer Processing Institute at Steven Institute of Technology. The information amounts to more of a large commercial for plastics than a balanced report. It made no mention of the harmful health effects of plastics use, manufacturing, plastics incineration (See Waste&Toxics-Plastics & Incineration).
Plastics are made from synthetic resins, which come primarily from petroleum. Resin manufacturers make polymers in plastic by combining chemical compounds, including ammonia and benzene. The polymers are made up of small molecules call monomers, which can be composed of chlorine, fluorine, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur atoms.
Most plastics do not readily break down. Scientists designed biodegradable and photodegradable plastics to decompose more quickly, but even these leave behind a plastic residue. The additives used to enable plastics to degrade also make the plastics unfit for recycling.
Source: World Book, contributed by The Polymer Institute at Steven Institute of Technology.
Latest news: August 2006: Are You Drinking Water from a Plastic Bottle? Do You Know the Risks?
- Start here: Our Stolen Future
- ZWA REPORTS: Are Plastic Products Causing Breast Cancer Epidemic?
- Rachel's #216 (01/16/91): Hazards Of A Plastic World
- PVC - Health Care Without Harm
- Plastics in the microwave may pose health risks ENN: A recent study by Consumer Reports has raised questions about the safety of plastic food wraps used in microwave ovens. Some plastics contain chemicals that can leak into foods and interfere with our body’s hormones. While scientists differ in their assessment of the risks, most agree that consumer caution is warranted. Great Lakes Radio Consortium. Also see: Our Stolen Future by Dr. Theo Colborn.
- DEGRADABLE PLASTICS: Creates Harmful Plastic Dust
- TOYS: Greenpeace Study Finds Dangerous Lead & Cadmium Levels in Popular Vinyl Toys
Scientific American - Green Plastics