I acknowledge the significance of this information and recognize how essential it is to stay attentive towards our actions, including discarding plastic bags on land. Such practices can severely affect both our environment and our well-being. I am grateful for sharing such a vital message with me.
In this article, we will explore several key reasons why the habit of discarding polyethylene on soil is detrimental. Moreover, you’ll gain insights into how this behavior impacts your well-being and those in your vicinity.
Reading this shouldn’t cause panic, but it does require you to exercise extreme caution by creating a safe environment.
Paper bags are the preferred choice in developed countries, including Australia, China, Japan, the USA, and The UK. They are used for serving customers with both big and small items at shops. However, in developing nations such as Togo, Ghana, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria among others, polythene bags remain their go-to option. These packages often end up littering the soil, polluting water sources, and farming lands, and damaging health through contaminated food, making it a significant environmental concern affecting various aspects of life.
Polythenes Affects The Aspects of Life Below
- Health
- Farm Produce
- The Environment
- Tourism
- Aquatic Abode
Here are some effects of dumping polythenes on the soils and how it impacts human lives.
Polythenes have a significant detrimental effect on soil as they cause the depletion of important nutrients necessary for crop growth and consumption. This is one aspect of their impact.
The harmful aspect of polythene usage in agriculture is its ability to contaminate soil, while still facilitating the growth of crops. However, the real cost arises after harvest when contaminated produce poses a significant risk for cancer and respiratory issues.
Health Issues One can Face because of Polythenes.
The presence of polythenes in our environment poses serious health risks, particularly respiratory issues. When burnt at dumping sites situated near residential areas or towns, the resulting smoke can lead to breathing difficulties as it contains harmful chemicals that blend with the air we breathe. Continued exposure to this polluted air increases the likelihood of developing respiratory problems such as asthma and other related illnesses over time.
The utilization of polythenes in our daily lives poses a perilous threat as it contaminates the food that we ingest regularly, due to their contact with polythenes.
After the warmth of food comes in contact with polythene covers or those nearby, certain chemicals that promptly react to heat are transmitted into hot and acidic foods. Consuming such contaminated food can cause an induction response in natural hormones possibly spanning multiple generations, while chemical substances like Bisphenol may mimic typical hormones or even cause metabolic disorders.
Continuous respiratory problems and potential liver and kidney damage are health concerns that can be influenced by consuming food products exposed to polythenes or residing in an area where burning of polythene is commonplace, exposing one to harmful toxins. Such exposure may result in illness and compromised well-being.
Polythenes Affects Water Bodies(Aquatic Abodes).
The characteristics of polythene constituents, such as Ethylene Monomers, Added Substances, and Polymer Chains have an impact on water systems and their inhabitants.
Polythene, when it enters bodies of water such as oceans, streams, and lakes, breaks down into microplastics which can be harmful to marine life. These pollutants dissolve in the water and are ingested by sea creatures. Some survive even after consuming these toxic materials and may end up being caught for human consumption. The chemicals in these fish exposed to micro-plastic pollution pose a serious risk to human health with visible consequences likely developing soon after ingestion.
It’s common to find plastic bags scattered across many places in Ghana and Africa, but the shocking discovery lies on its coastlines. The reason behind this is attributed to children who roam around immediately after eating their meals leaving polyethylene bags strewn about near shore zones where water eventually carries them into the ocean, thereby endangering marine life as well as those reliant upon fish consumption for survival.
Inadequate waste management in proximity to water bodies destroys aquatic habitats and pollution of the water.
Water and food both originate from the soil. Therefore, if you consume or drink anything that has been in direct contact with rubber for an extended time, it can contain harmful toxins or decay that could potentially harm your body.
Did you realize that Polythene is Non-Biodegradable and could persist in the soil for a century without disintegrating or decomposing? This results in an ongoing release of harmful chemicals into the earth, impeding plants from thriving by obstructing water flow. Additionally, even diligent surface maintenance cannot prevent inner chemical-filled layers from negatively impacting soil quality.
Cultivated land, is undermined by polythenes.
Polyethylenes should never come in contact with soil because, unlike natural materials that decompose, they do not. As a result, polyethylene items can remain on the ground for decades and hinder soil replenishment even after being furrowed or buried deep within it.
The presence of polythene in the soil will impact agricultural communities as it can hinder natural water flow within the soil and disrupt plant growth, affecting their flourishing.
How The Environment is Affected By Polythenes.
The improper disposal of polyethylene in developing nations leads to severe environmental consequences, including clogged sewage systems and increased flooding during heavy rains, which pose risks to households and disrupt transportation, affecting local livelihoods. The lack of effective waste management and ongoing littering habits hinder progress toward better environmental stewardship. The reliance on polythene, driven by market forces, exacerbates ecological hazards, necessitating a shift towards sustainable practices and circular economy models. Innovative solutions and responsible product transformation are essential for balancing economic performance with environmental health. Additionally, the burning of polyethylene releases harmful pollutants into the air, posing health risks to communities. Addressing these issues requires cooperation and accountability among stakeholders to ensure sustainable development and tackle socio-economic challenges while prioritizing critical areas such as biodiversity, climate, and health
Conclusion
In all, Polythenes will still thrive in Africa until paper bags take over but until then make sure to dispose of them well to avoid harming the soil. Do not dump polythenes into gutters especially when it rains so that you can avoid artificial flooding. People residing in environments near a dump site should alert authorities to know how bad the air is being polluted for them to consider relocation far away from the city to protect their health.
The last piece of advice for you is to note that disposing of polythenes near water bodies destroys the fish in the sea and when it is not destroyed, it will affect people who consume food from it very badly.
