Through various studies, researchers have been alerting about the ill effects of plastic on human health. This is the reason why campaigns have been conducted to reduce the use of polythene and plastic bottles. Scientists say that micro-particles of plastic are entering our bodies along with food, due to which the risk of serious and fatal diseases like cancer has increased significantly.
Researchers have found that its particles are reaching the body through food kept in plastic bottles, containers, and tiffin. By inhibiting mental development in children, it can increase the risk of prostate cancer in adults. Especially if hot things are kept in it, then it can cause more health risks.
Let us know why plastic is so dangerous and how it can be avoided.
Plastic entering the body
Scientists say that micro-particles of plastic called microplastics are reaching our contact every day through many mediums such as breathing, food, or direct skin contact. Scientists estimate that about 5 grams of plastic microparticles per week are entering a person's body in one way or the other. While the results of the studies indicate that plastic is not compatible with the human body and can cause various diseases, disabilities, and premature death in the life cycle.
The toxic chemicals found in plastic are a threat to human health.
Harmful chemicals in plastic
Scientists say that about 13,000 types of chemicals are used to make plastics, most of which are harmful to the environment and health.
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) are widely used to make it, which has been linked to an increased risk of problems such as infertility, obesity, diabetes, prostate or breast cancer, and thyroid. Similarly, in some types of plastic, a chemical called Bisphenol-A is being used, which is reaching our body by seeping with food or water, which can be a carcinogenic factor.
Do not keep hot food in plastic things
Health experts say that although plastic should be used to a minimum, plastic things should not be used for children's tiffins, water bottles, etc. Do not keep hot food in a plastic tiffin, or microwave it. By doing this, the chemicals present in the plastic can melt and mix in the food, which causes many diseases in the body.
Avoid drinking tea and coffee in plastic use-and-throw cups. We need to take precautions to prevent microplastics from entering the body.
These precautions are necessary
Microplastics can cause organ failure, to prevent this, neither heat plastic things nor keep any hot things in it.
Check the BPA level of plastic things available in the market, avoid using them.
Do not burn plastic items, the fumes emanating from it may contain harmful chemicals which can enter the body through breathing.
Use paper or cloth bags instead of polythene.
Try to create a plastic-free environment at home.
(PC: Freepik)
