By Musa Aliyu
1.0 Introduction
Plastic is one of the most preferred materials in today industrial world and this poses serious threat to consumers health and environment in both direct and indirect ways. Cost and convenience have made plastic prefarable to many households and industries.
It is an empirical fact that plastic molecules can cross any physiological barriers and this makes it a big challenge.
2.0 Injuries to Health
Phthalates ( esters) used in PVC to plastic its flexibility and hardness, is linked with insulin resistance, adiposity and increased levels of sex hormones.
- Infants and small children are vulnerable to the toxic effect of phthalates on their immature metabolic system and endocrine system.
- The adverse effects of plastic are acute during pregnancy with risk of birth defects of reproductive organs and impaired lungs growth ( Monaco Commission of plastic and health, 2023).
- Micro plastic can harm health and acts as a vessel for pathogens to enter system and spread diseases. It is even found in placenta.
According to WHO an average person could ingest 5g of plastic every week and scientific results indicate plastic crisis can cause premature death at very stage of its life cycle.
It is estimated that plastic has more than 250 million dollars in 2015 globally with more than 950 million dollars in USA alone for diseases and disability caused by plastic -associated chemicals. And endocrine disruptions can lead to cognitive impairment and carcinogenic.
3.0 Disaster in the environment
Apart from its non biodegradability credentials, that makes plastic not to decompose after 100- 1000 years, plastic contributes to warming temperature and extreme whethers.
WHO identified dioxin from burning of plastic waste as a cause of cancer.
Plastic in garbage kills millions of creatures in water body every year.
The plastic value chain is full of heath hazards, from pollution at extraction sites, workers exposures to chemicals air pollution from waste incinerators and water and soil contamination.
4.0 Nigerian situation on plastic
Nigeria is the 9th producer of plastic globally from 50 companies in 1960s to over 3000 in 2018(Hanafi, 2018).
With about 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, Nigeria ranked in highest contribution to plastic pollution. Satchet water and shopping bags are the major constituents of plastic waste in Nigeria.
5.0 Measures to ameliorate this crisis
Landfill
Incineration
Recycling
6.0 Ways out
- There should be national policy on plastic waste management in Nigeria
- Education about plastic waste should start from elementary schools and continue to adulthood.
- Informal sector can play role of curbing plastic waste through buy-back programs.
- Policies and incentives backed by robust enforcement targeted at producing companies to encourage polymer replacement and recycling.
- Researches needed on latest facilities and funds to evaluate plastic footprints and the risks to animals and humans using innovative Technologies.
MUSA Aliyu writes from Ilorin. He can be contacted via ccspeks@gmail.com
