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POINT: Cadmium used in plastic
bags is bioaccumulative & toxic; Plastics contain 54 potential
carciogens or cancer causing agents
Counter Point:
- The additives used in plastic bags are mainly antioxidants.
There is no cadmium in either polyethylene or additives.
- Plastic do not contain cadmium and they are not bioaccumulative.
- Plastic bags do not produce any obnoxious or toxic fumes
as such or upon burning.
- There are no single plastics formulations / compounds
/ applications which contain 54 ingredients or components.
Misinformation campaign misleads the public.
POINT: Plastic disposal by
burning causes CO poisoning, endocrinal damage, hormone disruption,
multiple cancer and affect human fertility
Counter Point: Plastics are
100% recyclable via various routes :
- Plastic bags are made out of Polyethylene which consist
of carbon & hydrogen only. When burnt under controlled
conditions, polyethylene releases harmless carbon dioxide
and water vapour - same components found in the air we exhale
when we breathe
- Any material - be it plastic, paper, firewood, cloth etc.
when burnt under uncontrolled conditions may lead to incomplete
combustion & generation of carbon monoxide (CO) &
dioxines etc.
- Plastic bags in municipal solid waste streams improve
the calorific value/energy content for use as Refuse Derived
Fuel (RDF) for incineration - a common practice in major
cities in Europe & Asia.
For Indian economy we recommend mechanical recycling of plastic
bags as the first priority. As a second priority we recommend
adoption of advanced (clean & green) incineration technologies
to recover energy.
POINT: Plastic disposal by
burning causes CO poisoning, endocrinal damage, hormone disruption,
multiple cancer and affect human fertility
Counter Point: The different
uses of commercially produced oil.
- Burning of Polyethylene does not cause endocrinal damage,
hormone disruption, multiple cancer and human fertility
- 4 Plastics are even used in controlled release of drugs
for in vivo (oral) formulations.
Misinformation campaign misleads the public.
POINT: ü Causes of acid
rain
Counter Point:
Acid rain - plastics : not the culprit at all.
POINT: Plastic bags contaminate
water
Counter Point:
- Polyethylene pouches (same material as plastic bags) are
used to pack/serve drinking water.
- Plastic bottles are globally used to pack mineral water
for health and hygenic reasons.
- Plastics are used extensively for domestic and industrial
water filters - housings, membranes, plates and candles,
etc.
- Issue is not contamination but misuse.
We do not recommend throwing of plastic bags into the water.
The bags should be collected for recycling.
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