PLASTIC POLLUTION: A BURNING ISSUE

Dr. S. M. Lahankar, Dr. Nilesh Gore* and Dr. Ujwala Chavan

ABSTRACT

Plastic is a material consisting of any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic compound that are malleable and so can be construct into solid objects. For more than 50 years, global population and consumption of plastics have continued day by day. Due to their, ease of manufacture, versatility, light weight, flexibility, moisture resistant, strong and comparatively less expensive product. Plastics are used in multiple product of different scale such as toys, bags, furniture‟s, piping or plumbing, etc. it is frequently used in developing as well as developed countries, where consumption of plastics in packaging is 42% in India. However, durable and very slow to degrade, plastic materials that are used in the production of so many products, ultimately, become waste with hazardous effect on health of marine animals, birds as well as human from food chain. Our great attraction to plastic with increasing its consumption, discarding, littering and thus polluting the environment also. Now a day use of plastics are banned in India as well as other countries due to plastic contains toxins like BPA (Bisphenol-A), dioxin, benzene, phthalates, formaldehyde, etc which effect on human health, reproductive system, may act carcinogenic, also endocrine disrupting properties, or in extreme case death of infant may occurred. So, presenting study has been conducted for awareness about plastic and its effect on health.

Keywords: Plastic, Polymer, Pollution, Hazards, Carcinogenic, BPA.