Tuesday, May 5, 2009

it lasts almost forever

I am worried about plastic.
I try not to be a scare tactic environmentalist but
when it comes to plastic I am concerned.
In the oceans, it breaks down to tiny particles the size of
granules of sand and is ingested by sea mammals.
In most cases, this doesn't cause instant death or choking; much worse.

Small fish at the bottom of the food chain ingest
particles of plastic, larger fish eat them and we eat
the larger fish.

Predators high on the food chain (including humans)
are showing high levels of contaminants.
Compounds found in plastic are endocrine
disrupters which are suspected to cause cancer,
brain damage and reproductive damage.

So if you have a choice, please don't use plastic.
Especially if it's only a one time use and it's
thrown away. Otherwise please recycle
plastic so at least it is contained. For awhile.

I hope you know not to drink water from a
plastic bottle that has gotten hot in the car.
Chemicals leach out of the plastic into the water.
And NEVER microwave something in a plastic container.

Thanks. I tell you this because I care about you,
and all sentient beings!

By the way, I am FAR from living a plastic free life!!
Plastic is everywhere and is useful.
I just try to use an alternative when there is a viable choice.

(based on an article by Nicole Chatterson:
A Plague of Plastic)

5 comments:

jamclean said...

We denizens of the Hemlocks can attest that the earliest plastic dinnerware from Boonton, NJ, may well last forever. 50+ years and counting and still green.

don said...

I like the part about green! Who knew?

don said...

Barb, it's now time for you to focus on pharmaceuticals in the food supply. Medical waste is rampant. Uncontrolled waste into the waterways, oceans. And we eat it. But wait....that could be a benefit. No copays...some reading for you. State of Fear by the late Michael Creighton.

Barbara said...

I know about drugs in the water!
Residue from prescription drugs end up in our septic systems (yup, in our urine) and go right back into the water cycle.
One thing we can do is NOT throw unused pills into the trash where they may end up in the system.
They need to be treated like hazardous waste and be disposed of responsibly.
Taking them back to the doctor's office is one way. They have a means for disposing of medical waste.

don said...

Now there's a tip!
I never thought of that.
Well, it's off the Dr.'s office.
Do you think they'll know?