literature review

Tarek Edelbi
Literature Review

Plastic is one of the most heavily used materials in present day society. It’s present in the food we eat, the water we drink, and many of our material possessions. As a result of our constant interaction with the material it is also present in the air we breathe, and will soon start to take a negative toll on organic life forms. Plastics are made of non-biodegradable materials although through various obstacles such as the passage of time, photodegradation, and ultraviolet rays from the sun, plastic can break down and create chemical byproducts over a period of time. Over 400 billion pounds of plastic is being produced every year exceeding the previous year’s production. These byproducts can adversely affect the living conditions on earth. Plastic in a sense never ceases to exist because it can change form. Numerous chemical by-products and toxins are released, not only through the break down but from various plastic products such as hair combs, water bottles, toys etc.
For the basics plastic is made by combining many toxic synthetic man-made chemicals by a process called polymerization. This process technicilly binds the toxic chemicals together so tightly that they are no longer toxic to organisims. Although the polymerization process will most likely never be flauless, it always leaves various toxic chemicals sustainable to transfer out of the plastic material and into its contacts. Toxins and chemicals released from these plastics can be extremely detrimental to all living life forms. Some toxins and chemicals in plastics known to be detrimental are bisophenol A, antimony, and Phthalates.
These toxins are known to cause different forms of cancer-causing cells and also are hormone altering and imitating. On a much larger scale they have the potential to affect DNA as well as the genetic make-up. Since cancer is more prevalently studied, it attracts more researchers, and therefore more recent studies are conducted on the cancer causing aspects of plastics. A recent study conducted by the American Association for Cancer Research showed that chemicals such as bisophenol A in plastics will stimulate the growth of various cancer-causing cells which may lead to mammary and prostate cancer.
Bisophenol A or BPA is generally found in heavier plastic packaging, such as those used for milk storage, container linings and water supply pipes. A recents study done by a coalition of environmental health NGOs stated that BPA which is also a synthetic sex hormone which can mimics estrogen is used to make hard polycarbonate plastic. On average these plastics release between 4.7 – 8.3 parts per billion of bisphenol A. A recent research on animals showed that bisphenol A can be harmful by disrupting development at doses even below these levels. Other research state that although chemical is prone to affect an organism at any stage of its life, the toxins are more effective at key stages of development and may be life-altering even in minus increments.
Another toxin such as antimony is also known to be carcinogenic. One study done in long term exposure with only minimal amounts of antimony yielded with organisms such as animals in this case developed eye irritation, hair loss, lung damage, and heart problems. Another study composed, only now the organisms were exposed to higher levels of antimony, the animal developed fertility problems as well as lung cancer. Chemicals such as Phthalates are also an additive in plastic which helps the flow of molecules in the material to give texture and flexibility. A research, done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on humans, shows metabolites of multiple phthalates in urine, which is believed to be due to plastics. Baby care products are a growing concern due to the fact that most of them contain phthalates. The study also stated that young infants are more vulnerable to the potential effects of phthalates due to their increased dosage per unit body surface area, metabolic capabilities, and developing endocrine and reproductive systems.
A study was also done on rodents which were exposed to certain phthalates levels. In the case of high doses a change in hormone levels was evident and birth defects were observed. One explained that human phthalate exposure during pregnancy resulted in decreased anogenital distance among baby boys. In this study, phthalate metabolites were measured in urine samples collected from the pregnant women who gave birth to the infants. After birth, the genital features and anogenital distance of these women's babies were measured and correlated with the residue levels in the mother's urine. Boys born to mothers with the highest levels of phthalates were seven times more likely to have a shortened anogenital distance.
A research conducted by the American government journal Environment Health Perspectives stated that BPA and phthalates were gaining a reputation for being endocrine disrupters. Chemicals from plastic even have the frightening potential to change DNA or genetic make-up.




Work Cited
Ahmad, Maqbool, and Ahmad S. Bajahlan. "Leaching of styrene and other aromatic compounds in drinking water from PS bottles." 16 May 2007. Science Direct. Journal of environmental sciences. Mason, Fairfax. 25 Feb. 2009 .
Alderson, Norris. "Testimony." 14 Mar. 2008. ASL. Mason, Fairfax. 25 Feb. 2009 .
Ball, Douglas. "Development of Safety Qualification Thresholds and Their Use in Orally Inhaled and Nasal Drug Product Evaluation." 23 Feb. 2007. Toxicological Sciences. ToxSci Advance Access. Mason, Fairfax. 25 Feb. 2009 .
"Screening Assessment for The Challenge Phenol, 4,4' -(1-methylethylidene)bis- (Bisphenol A) Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number 80-05-7." Oct. 2008. Environment Canada. Health Canada. Mason, Fairfax. 25 Feb. 2009 .
C.J. Moore et al., (2001) “A Comparison of Plastic and Plankton in the Pacific Central Gyre,” Marine Pollution Bulletin 42: 297-1300. The North Pacific Gyre and the ORV Alguita Somorovská, M., J. Tulinská, M. BaranÄoková, M. ZámeÄnÃková, A. Collins, A. LÃÅ¡ková, B. Vallová, H. Petrovská, E. Jáhnová, P. VodiÄka, L. Fuortes, and M. DuÅ¡inská. "THE COMET ASSAY IN BIOMONITORING OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE IN RUBBER FACTORY AND PLASTIC LAMINATION PLANT. COMPARISON WITH CYTOGENETIC AND IMMUNE BIOMARKERS." 2006. ELIS. MASON, Fairfax. 25 Feb. 2009 .
Totten, Bill. "[A-List] Get Plastic Out of Your Diet." 16 Nov. 2006. Mindfully. Livivng nutrition magazine. Mason, Fairfax. 25 Feb. 2009 .
Tyl, R. "Polycarbonate Plastics and Bisphenol A Release." 2006. Bisphenol A. Human health and saftey. Mason, Fairfax. 25 Feb. 2009
Vom Saal, F. S., W.V. Welshons, & S. Parmigiani “Leaching of Bisphenol A From Polycarbonate Plastic Disrupts Development via Epigenetic Mechanisms.” Prepared for the Erice International Seminars on Planetary Emergencies, Erice, Italy. 19-26 August 2006.