It is proven that, Microplastic is a silent killer. But nowadays plastic used to construct pavement roads and called it sustainable development. It is really environment friendly or we are just spreading the plastic to our environment ?
Yes, there have been studies that have looked into the impacts of microplastics on the environment. Research has found that microplastics have been found in marine and freshwater systems and on land. Microplastics can have direct and indirect impacts on the environment, including on ecosystems and biodiversity. They can cause physical damage to animals and plants, and their ingestion can cause health problems. In addition, microplastics can absorb and transport pollutants, and can act as vectors for the transfer of toxins. While the use of plastic to construct pavement roads may appear to be a sustainable development option, it is important to consider the potential impacts of plastic on the environment.
Despite the deleterous effects of plastic pollution, the use of plastics have also some environmental benefits (in fact, this is one of the reasons why plastics are so employed). For example, as plastic is a lightweight material, its use of in cars manufacture allow that manufactured cars be also more lightweight, then using less fuel than a car without plastic materials and thus emitting less carbon dioxide.
A review article which explains very well the environmental benefits of plastics is this:
Andrady, A.L.; Neal, M.A. (2009). Applications and societal benefits of plastics. Phylosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B 364: 1977-1984. (Available at: Article Applications and Societal Benefits of Plastics
).I hope it helps.
As such, no technology is free from environmental pollution. It is the question of which alternative (technology) is comparatively better. Using and recycling waste plastics as paving material or road construction is better than dumping the used plastics in landfills, burning and ending up in oceans. However, it has its environmental drawbacks, including the issue of microplastics. Consumption of plastics should be judicious and minimised in the first place.
Jobair Rahman Ridoy
Yes, numerous studies are going on MPs, and almost positive results are found everywhere that are not at all positive from environmental aspects. If we segregate land and water we will get MPs in both of the systems. If further, go for the detailed study you can find MPs presence in biota also.
No doubt it is not environmentally friendly, and it is also true that we are spreading it everywhere, even in the air, that we are inhaling. Now, it is necessary to focus on the remediation of MPs or better to say, the degradation of MPs.
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