Plastics: A Challenging Menace and the Way Forward.pptx

Plastics are made from fossil fuels and are non-biodegradable, hence lingering in the environment for decades. Majority of the chemicals from which plastics are produced have being seen to be toxic especially as they break down into micro and nano particles overtime. Plastic pollution has become a pervasive global issue, with far-reaching consequences for both the environment and human health. This seminar delves into the multifaceted effects of plastic on ecosystems, wildlife, and human well-being. An examination of the effect of plastics from it’s production to disposal shows the various pathways through which plastics harm the environment, contaminate waterways, and endanger man. Furthermore, the potential health risks associated with exposure to plastic-related chemicals, such as Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates are discussed. In addition to understanding the challenges posed by plastic pollution, a review is done on the sustainable solutions and innovative approaches to mitigate its impact, such as; limiting single use plastics, switching to bio friendly alternatives, promoting recycling, encouraging proper waste disposal, funding research in sustainable alternatives, placing certain sanctions and bans to curtail plastic waste generation. This seminar aims to catalyze action towards a future where plastic pollution is effectively addressed through sustainable practices and responsible consumption patterns. With collective efforts, we can work towards a healthier environment and safeguard human health for generations to come.

1. Presented To: Department Of Medical Laboratory Services, University Of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City. Supervisor: Mr Azeez Olumoye PLASTICS: A challenging menace and the way forward By AYENI, Blessing Ometere (BMLS, AMLSCN) Chemical Pathology MARCH, 2024 A seminar on 1

2. ABSTRACT Plastics are made from fossil fuels and are non-biodegradable, hence lingering in the environment for decades. Majority of the chemicals from which plastics are produced have being seen to be toxic especially as they break down into micro and nano particles overtime. Plastic pollution has become a pervasive global issue, with far-reaching consequences for both the environment and human health. This seminar delves into the multifaceted effects of plastic on ecosystems, wildlife, and human well-being. An examination of the effect of plastics from it’s production to disposal shows the various pathways through which plastics harm the environment, contaminate waterways, and endanger man . Furthermore, the potential health risks associated with exposure to plastic-related chemicals, such as Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalate s are discussed. In addition to understanding the challenges posed by plastic pollution, a review is done on the sustainable solutions and innovative approaches to mitigate its impact, such as; limiting single use plastics, switching to bio friendly alternatives, promoting recycling, encouraging proper waste disposal, funding research in sustainable alternatives, placing certain sanctions and bans to curtail plastic waste generation. T his seminar aims to catalyze action towards a future where plastic pollution is effectively addressed through sustainable practices and responsible consumption patterns. With collective efforts, we can work towards a healthier environment and safeguard human health for generations to come. 2 2

3. OUTLINE Abstract Introduction Effect of Plastic on Health Effect of Plastic on the Environment Sustainable Solutions Conclusion Recommendation Selected References 3 3

4. Plastics which are made from fossil fuels have for a long time being the convenient choice for products and packaging due to its light weight, ability to be single used and easily disposed, affordability and easy production. Despite the seemingly advantages, new researches are proving that plastic is doing more harm than good to human populace, marine life and the eco system at large. INTRODUCTION Dumbili and Henderson, 2022 4 4

5. EFFECTS OF PLASTIC ON HUMAN HEALTH Ingestion of contaminated food and fishes. DEHP, PET leaching from plastic bottles. Build of microplastics and nanoplastics in the body. Accumulation of Endocrine disrupting chemicals e.g. BPA, Pthalates . Inhalation of toxic chemicals. Yee et al., 2021; Zhang et al., 2023 Fig 1. Chemicals of Concern in Plastics. Source: Geneva Environment Network 5 5

6. Fig 2. Human Exposure To Chemical in Plastics Source: Geneva Environment Network 6 6

7. EFFECTS OF PLASTIC ON THE ENVIRONMENT Blocked Drainages, Floods Release of toxic chemicals into rivers and oceans. Release of green house gases and toxic ash into the ecosystem during production and incineration. Land pollution from land fills. Ingestion of plastic by animals leads to toxicity and death. Economic loss due to floods and loss of tourism. Fig 3. A commercial Stuck in Plastic ridden flood in Lagos Source: Punchng Fig 4. Unaltered remains of an albatross with Plastics inside its stomach Source: National Wildlife Federation Dumbili and Henderson, 2022; Mahu et al., 2023 7 7

8. SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO PLASTIC MENACE Reduce Single-Use Plastic Replace Plastics Advocacy for Bio-friendly alternatives Placement of Bans and Sanctions Fund Recycling Initiatives Public Education Fig 5. Chart showing some sustainable solution to plastic menance Kunle et al., 2023; Landrigan et al., 2023 8 8

9. SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO PLASTIC MENACE Fig 6. Items used as alternatives to Plastics (a) Re-usable Shopping bags from polypropylene, Cotton, Paper, etc. (b) Glass bottles (c) Food Grade Stainless Steel Bottles (d) Leaf for Food packing e.g. Thaumatococcus daniellii (Ewe eran in Yoruba, Uma in Igbo), Banana leaves. (e) Biodegradable and Compostable Bio-plastics (f) Renewable/ Biodegradble Sugarcane Bagasse Take-away packs (g) Aluminum Cans (h) Compostable packaging made from Corn Starch, Poly lactic acid (PLA) ( i ) Paper packaging made from Bamboo, Cardboard, Kraft 9 9 A B C D E F G H I

10. 10 Fig 7. A recycling initiative by The Green Campus Project @ University of Benin, Nigeria SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO PLASTIC MENACE 10

11. Interesting Scientific discovery/ Tech Advances Plastic Eating Mushroom ( Pestalotiopic microspora ) Plastic Eating Bacteria ( Ideonella sakaiensis ) E-waste Apps Jangira , 2023; Russell et al., 2011 11 11

12. Plastics have become a present day menace due to its implication in excessive waste generation, land, water and air pollution, non biodegradability, toxicity to man and animals. The most sustainable solutions now involves reducing plastic use, proper recycling and plastic waste management, developing bio friendly alternatives to plastics and joining hands to get rid of current plastic waste. CONCLUSION 12 12

13. Limit usage of single use plastics. Send plastics for recycling. Individuals and communities should work together to properly dispose and clean up plastic trash. Companies and government should fund recycling initiatives and research in eco-friendly alternatives to plastic. RECOMMENDATION 13 13

14. SELECTED REFERENCES Cho, Y. M. and Choi, K. H. (2021). The current status of studies of human exposure assessment of microplastics and their health effects: a rapid systematic review.  Environmental Analysis, Health and Toxicol ogy, 36(1). Dumbili , E. and Henderson, L. (2022). Chapter 22 - The challenge of plastic pollution in Nigeria. Plastic Waste and Recycling , 569-583. Gamage , G., Thushari , N., Duminda , J., and Senevirathna , M. (2020). Plastic Pollution in the Marine Environment. Heliyon , 6 (8). Geneva Environment Network. (2024). Plastics and Human Health | Plastics and the Environment Series. Retrieved from https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/resources/updates/plastics-and-health/ accessed on 8 th March, 2024. Jangira Lewis. (2023). 10 Scientific Solutions to Plastic Polution . Retrieved from https://earth.org/scientific-solutions-to-plastic-pollution/ accessed on 8 th March, 2024. Kunle B., Oluseyi P. O., Akinlabi , E. (2023). Biopolymers: A suitable replacement for plastics in product packaging. Advanced Industrial and Engineering Polymer Research, 6(4): 333-340. Landrigan , P. J., Raps, H., Crooper , M., Bald, C., Brunner, M., Canonizado , E. M., Charles, D., Chiles, T. C., Donohue, M. J., Enck , J., Fenichel , P., Fleming, L. E., Ferrier-Pages, C. Fordham, R., Gozt , A., Griffiin , C., Hahn, E. M., Haryanto , B., Hixson, R., . . . Dunlop, S. (2023). The Minderoo - Monaco Comission on Plastics and Human Health. Annals of Global Health , 89(1): 71. Mahu , E., Datsomor , M.G., Folorunsho , R., Fisayo , J., Crane,R ., Marchant , R., Montford , J., Boateng , M. C., Oti , M. E., Margret Ngozi Oguguah , M. N., and Gordon, C. (2023). Human health risk and food safety implications of microplastic consumption by fish from coastal waters of the eastern equatorial Atlantic Ocean. Food Control, 145 . Mason, S. A. Welch, V. G., and Neratko , J. (2018). Synthetic Polymer Contamination in Bottled Water. Frontiers in Chemistry, 6 . Penghui , L., Xiaodan , W., Min, S., Xioyan , Z. and Hongwu , Z. (2021). Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 107 ; 577-584. Russell, J., Huang, J., Anand , P., Sandoval, A. and Strobel , S. (2011). Biodegradation of Polyester Polyurethane by Endophytic Fungi. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 77 (17); 6076- 6084 Yee, M. L., Hii , L. W., and Looi , C. K. (2021). Impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on human health.  Nanomaterials . 11(2): 496. Yong, C., Valiyaveettil , S., and Tang, B. (2020). Toxicity of microplastics and nanoplastics in mammalian systems.  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health . 17(5). Zhang, J., Peng , M., Lian , E. Xia, A., Asimakopoulos , A. M., Lio , S. and Wang, L., (2023). Identification of Poly (Ethylene Terephthalate) Nanoplastics In Commercially Bottled Drinking Water Using Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy. Environmental Science and Toxicology, 57 (22):8365-8372. 14

15. THANK YOU For listening 15