Reference no: EM133207802 , Length: Word count: 200 words
Assignment Problem: Plastics are produced from natural gas and crude oil, both of which are nonrenewable geologic resources obtained from the earth (U.S. EIA, n.d.). Some call Evansville the "plastics capital of the world" and credit the local plastics industry for having a positive influence on the local economy (WFIE, 2018). Plastics are important components of many industries.
Yet plastics are responsible for environment problems and human health problems. While it is difficult to determine exactly how much plastic is in the ocean, scientists believe about 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean every year (National Ocean Service. n.d.). Humans eat the equivalent of a credit card worth of plastic each week (Loria, 2020). Microplastic waste is found everywhere, and it is estimated that the average American eats, drinks, and breathes in more than 74,000 microplastic particles every year (Cox, et. al. 2019). These microplastic particles are responsible for a number of health issues. The amount of recycled plastics in the United States is relatively small. In 2017, the overall plastic recycling rate was 8.4 percent. Most plastics end up in landfills or the environment (EPA, 2020).
Compare and contrast one benefit of plastic with one detrimental effect that plastic has on either human health or the environment. Write a 100-200 word. Cite at least one source in your post that is not listed on the Reference page of this assignment.
References:
Cox, K.D., Covernton, G.A., Davies, H.L., Dower, J.F., Juanes, F., Dudas, S.E. (2019). Human Consumption of Microplastics. Environmental Science and Technology.
Environmental Protection Agency. (2020). Plastics: Material-Specific Data.
Loria, K. (2020. April 30). How to Eat Less Plastic. Consumer Reports.
National Ocean Service (n.d.). A Guide to Plastic in the Ocean. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
U.S. Energy Information Administration. (n.d.). How much oil is used to make plastic?
WFIE, Channel 14. (2018. May 16). Special Report: Power of Plastics.