How does plastic affect the environment?

Hello,

I wanted to clarify exactly how plastic affects the environment. I hope this will explain.

When plastic breaks, it releases toxic gasses that poison animals. Also, if plastic is swallowed it could cut or damage the inside of the animal. Many animals such as turtles and dolphins mistake the small plastic fragments for food. Even if the plastic is too small to cut into the insides of the animal or cause choking, too many micro plastics inside an animal will eventually block the digestive tracts and they will starve to death.

Recent research proves that plastic has entered the human body. This is because plankton eats microplastics and small fish eat plankton. Bigger fish eat smaller fish and we eat the bigger fish. So inside us is plastic.

Plastic also blocks waterways and sewers. This leads to the perfect breading grounds for disease carrying animals such as mosquitos. When plastic is burned it releases those toxic gasses that are terrible for people and the environment.

Plastic has been found everywhere on Earth - the Arctic, the Antarctic, Mount Everest and even the Mariana Trench. It is a massive problem.

So there you are a brief explanation of how plastic is affecting the environment, including humans.

Images: Photo of Plastics Near Trees is owned by Stijn Dijkstra on pexels.com.

Sources:
https://www.ehn.org/plastic-pollution-101-2646027569/how-does-plastic-waste-affect-the-environment
https://www.forbes.com/sites/grrlscientist/2018/04/23/five-ways-that-plastics-harm-the-environment-and-one-way-they-may-help/

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