Dr. Muhammad Mahtab Hossain Mazed

Environment is closely related to human life. We all live around the environment and pollute the environment in many ways. In fact, we are constantly polluting the environment, and destroying the biodiversity of nature. Plastic waste is one of the major causes of environmental pollution in recent times. Most of the things we use in our daily life are made of plastic. Plastics are man-made polymers, which are mainly chemically produced from fossil fuels or natural gas. Plastics are generally easily bendable (flexible), corrosion resistant, durable and inexpensive. Alexander Parkes discovered the first man-made plastic in 1855 and named it Parkesin.

It was made by reacting plant cellulose with nitric acid. However, in 1907, Leo Baekeland discovered a completely synthetic plastic and named it Bakelite. He was the first to use the word plastic. In addition, two scientists who made unique contributions to the production of plastics are Nobel laureates Hermann Staudinger (father of polymer chemistry) and Hermann Markt (father of polymer physics).

Nylon was a commercially successful synthetic thermoplastic polymer invented by DuPont Corporation. Gradually, as a result of the discovery of acrylic, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, synthetic rubber, polyethylene (polythene) etc. plastics, almost all the products and parts of the products needed at all levels of life are being made of plastic. Plastic is cheaper, easier to use and more durable than anything made from natural metal, animal and vegetable sources.

As a result, the use of plastic has spread worldwide at lightning speed and subconsciously we have polluted the water, land and atmosphere with plastic pollution. The column about today's issue was written by prominent researcher and founder of National Patient Welfare Society of Bangladesh. MM Majed wrote in his column..

One of the biggest contributors to environmental pollution is plastic. We are constantly using plastic and polluting the environmentTo be honest, the use of plastic products has increased so much in our daily activities that most of the people may find it almost impossible to live without plastic products. From pacifiers and milk bottles to our daily food plates, jugs, glasses, plates and bowls, many important things are made of plastic. But how much negative impact this plastic has on the environment, have we thought?

Therefore, in order to prevent environmental pollution, everyone should be proactive in reducing the use of plastic products and instead of throwing the used plastic products everywhere, they should be disposed of in specific places.

We all need to be aware that the sooner we stop ourselves from using plastic products, the sooner we can free ourselves from the plastic-polluted environment. Plastic pollution is endangering the existence of all living things, including humansAddition of biodegradable plastic products, by-products, particles or molecules released from plastic products to the environment; Plastic pollution, which causes long-term negative effects on soil, water, atmosphere, wildlife, biodiversity and human health, is commonly referred to as plastic pollution. In the last 50 years, more than one ton of plastic has been produced per capita in the world. Although 10 percent of these non-decomposable plastic wastes are burned and destroyed, the remaining 90 percent have endangered the world environment in various ways. These harmful decomposing wastes can remain in the environment for 400 to 1000 years and are having a terrible negative impact on the environment and human health by releasing various micro or nano particles or harmful substances. More than 45 million tons of plastic waste is added to the environment every year in the world. 51 percent of this waste is produced in Asia.

Plastic pollution is widespread in all countries and environments of the world, even the summit of Mount Everest, the bottom of the deep sea and the polar regionsThe interaction of non-degradable plastic waste with ultraviolet rays and other environmental factors results in the release of micro and nano plastic particles and various harmful chemicals such as bisphenol A into the environment. These micro and nano particles and released harmful chemicals can destroy the hormonal system of humans and other organisms. As a result, plastic pollution destroys the reproductive capacity of humans and other organisms and causes various incurable diseases by affecting the nervous system. In addition, these plastic nanoparticles and harmful chemicals can change the DNA and RNA molecules in the cells of humans and other organisms and cause cancer or nervous system damage. However, single-use polythene bags are among the most lethal types of plastic waste. Because of their widespread use and faulty management, drains, canals and rivers are being destroyed. A flood is brewing.

Aquatic animals and plant roots are affected. Besides, the final destination of these polythene wastes is the sea. Marine environment is threatened by plastic waste. The resulting death of fish, whales and other marine animals is seriously damaging the marine environment as a whole. 80% of our drinking water is contaminated with micro and nano plastic particles. These invisible plastic particles and the toxins released by plastic that affect the hormonal system make human health more vulnerable through the food chain. The toxic substances released by plastic waste are poisoning the soil, water and atmosphere. Burning of plastic waste added 8.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere in 2019.

For one thing, it appears that 10-13 percent of global warming is contributed by the burning of plastic waste. About 300 million tons of plastic waste has accumulated in the world so far. 79 percent of them accumulate in the environment in various ways and endanger the existence of human health and other creatures of nature. About 381 million tons of plastic and plastic products are produced in the world every year. About 50 percent of these are single-use. Only 9 percent is recycled. If current trends continue, the world's production of plastic products will almost double by 2031. 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine animals die every year as a result of plastic pollution. The marine environment is the biggest victim of plastic pollution.

Scientists have calculated that there are currently 5.25 trillion micro and macro plastic particles accumulated in the ocean. 46,000 pieces/particles of plastic have accumulated in every square mile of ocean. The total weight of plastic deposited in the sea is 2 lakh 69 thousand tons. Every day 8 million pieces of plastic waste are getting into the ocean. In this way, huge plastic waste accumulation areas (patches) have been created in the oceans. The largest patch of plastic waste in the world, the Pacific Ocean, currently has an area of about 160 million square kilometers. Similar plastic waste deposits have also formed in other oceans and seas. Not only the bottom of the sea, about 88 percent of the surface of the sea water is more or less polluted with plastic pollution. Plastic bags or polythene bags are causing the most serious pollution among plastic waste.

Every minute we throw away 1 million plastic bags after use. 50,000 crores of plastic bag waste worldwide every year. 8.3 billion plastic bags and pieces of plastic are unknowingly dumped on the beach every year. Scientists fear that by 2025, the number of plastic products and particles in the ocean will be more than the number of fish. Currently, 1 in every 3 fish caught in the ocean contains plastic in its stomach. Plastic products contain microbeads, which can easily pollute the environment. These microbeads are very harmful to public health and other organisms in the environment. Incineration of plastic waste causes the invisible micro plastic particles to cause serious air pollution, which has serious harmful effects on our lungs with inhalation and exhalation.

China is the highest in the world in plastic waste production and pollutionBangladesh generates 800,000 tons of plastic waste every day, of which 36 percent is recycled, 39 percent is landfilled and the remaining 25 percent is directly added to the environment as pollutants. Plastic products are mainly made from fossil fuels (petroleum oil) as polymers. However, various additive organic compounds are added during preparation. Plastic waste releases a variety of highly hazardous organic compounds into the environment. Among them are bisphenol-A, phthalates, bisphenone, organotins, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and brominated foam retardants.

These chemicals destroy the hormonal system of humans and other organisms and seriously disrupt the production of sperm and eggs. Besides, these chemicals released from plastic waste can damage the nervous system and brain cells and cause various diseases. Nanoplastic waste and chemicals released from plastic waste can alter the physiology of living organisms and cause various chronic diseases including cancer.

An average of 646 tons of plastic waste is generated in Dhaka city every day. In this beloved city of ours, we use 1 crore 4 million polythene bags and subconsciously throw them away with other waste. These polythene bags are made in more than 100 factories. Everyone knows how unlivable and dangerous to our health Dhaka city is becoming with waterlogging due to indiscriminate use of polythene bags. The law banning polythene bags was passed in the country more than a decade ago. But the reality is, lack of law enforcement.

After the ban on the use of polythene, the production and consumption of polythene in Dhaka city has increased three times in the last decade. What shocking statistics! We are moving forward in various economic and social indicators, but we ourselves are contributing to the terrible plastic pollution in our own city every day. Will we turn our beloved city Dhaka into a world-famous city of waste just because of the lack of law enforcement? Is there nothing we can do as citizens? Of course there is. Let's shed some light on what we have to do. Can't we start using easily biodegradable jute and cloth wrappers in our daily market and shopping? Can't we say goodbye to single-use thin polythene by using reusable cloth, jute or hard plastic bags instead of thin polythene?

Is it too difficult to completely switch off polythene bags in the laundry and introduce reusable cloth bags? Can't the use of glass bottles be made mandatory by stopping the marketing of milk and beverages in plastic? Can't the city corporation immediately start the developed world's conventional strategy of collecting all types of polythene and plastic waste separately from each house? If plastic waste is collected separately from each house, it can be recycled and made into new products. In this case, civil society, government, non-governmental organizations and plastic product manufacturing companies have to work together. Isn't it urgent to create public awareness through electronic, print and other mass and social media about the causes, harmful aspects and ways of getting rid of plastic pollution? Jute was called as the golden fiber of Bangladesh.

It is a universal natural fiber, which is produced in the stem of the jute plant in 100-120 days. Once the bulk of the country's export earnings came from jute and jute products.

> Various plastic wrappers, one-time/decomposable spoons, glasses, etc. used in online shopping and online food delivery are adding a new dimension to the speed of plastic pollution during Corona. Biodegradable plastic manufacturing technology using natural polymers has been discovered to prevent plastic pollution. Conscious disposal of plastic waste by commercial recycling, use of jute products as alternatives to plastic, use of cloth, paper or reusable bags instead of single-use polythene and inclusion of information on plastic pollution in the school curriculumConsidered as effective action.Plastic pollution is a critical problem worldwide; Which is a great threat to environment, biodiversity, economy and human health. 51 percent of the world's plastic waste, which endangers the environment, is produced only in the countries of the Asian continent. Unbelievable but true, about 3,000 tons of plastic waste is added to the environment in Bangladesh every day, which is 8 percent of all types of waste. The recommendations adopted in the two-day international webinar of Bangladesh Science Academy and Asian Science Academies to deal with plastic pollution are: 1) Plastic pollution management laws and policies should be updated at the global and regional levels; 2) Laws made on plastic pollution management in BangladeshMust be strictly implemented; 3) The environmental protection policy and plastic pollution policy should be coordinated and updated based on modern knowledge; 4) Encourage repeated use and recycling of plastic products; 5) Although the role of plastic products in our life is accepted, but in useCaution and moderation are necessary; 6) Encouraging the use of biodegradable plastics and providing incentives to use jute bags and other jute products as alternatives to plastic; 7) Polythene and other plastics involving private institutions and communitiesLimiting the use of the product and ensuring protection of the environment and human health.Here are some ways to avoid plastic:-

> Balloons:- Balloons are non-decomposable. They cause damage to animal bodies and spoil the quality of food by mixing with the soil. But balloons are a very attractive object for children. Also, birthdays or any other occasion do not go without balloonsBut instead of balloons, paper pompoms can be used. Decorating the house with pompoms will protect the beauty of the house as well as be environmentally friendly.

> Baskets:- Baskets should be used instead of littering everywhere. Otherwise, these wastes are taken to the river and deposited in heapsWhich destroys the river water, fish everything. Looking at the canals of Dhaka, you can see how these natural resources are being destroyed by the crowd of waste!

> Refrain from throwing garbage in rivers:- One should refrain from throwing garbage in rivers, ponds, canals. Because they pollute the water and the fishes die. Scientists say that half of the world's sea turtles die because of these plastics.

> Club Programme:- Various eco-friendly clubs can be opened in schools. Where there will be programs like environment protection week, meeting, fairThis will increase awareness among children, they will be responsible and careful in environmental care.

> Area wise programs:- Such initiatives can be taken in respective areas. Public awareness can be created by removing plastic products from every home, giving suggestions to use something else that is environmentally friendly instead of plastic, highlighting the harmful aspects.

> Gifts:- The best gift toys for kids. But these plastic toys are a threat to usSo toys can be given that keep the child happy and are also environmentally friendly. For example, a coupon, card, homemade gift can be given.

Our soil, water, air are constantly being polluted by plastic. In addition, plastic emits harmful substances called styrene, which can cause deadly diseases like cancer in the human body. Basically, plastic material is not beneficial for environment and human life in any way. Rather, we have to pay for the way the environment is being damaged by its use.

Finally, what we give to the environment, the environment will give back to us Therefore, in order to prevent environmental pollution, everyone should be proactive in reducing the use of plastic products and instead of throwing the used plastic products everywhere, they should be disposed of in specific places. We all need to be aware that the sooner we stop using plastic products, the sooner we can rid ourselves of a plastic-polluted environment.

Author, Founder, jatio rogi kallan Society Health Affairs Secretary, Sabuj Andolan Executive Council