How do plastic bottles affect air quality?

Introduction:

Plastics are almost an everyday item used widely for producing goods worldwide today. One popular use
for these materials is when it comes to packaging beverages like bottled water or soda that are available
conveniently in stores globally. However, despite the convenience factor associated with plastic
packaging materials - there has been increasing concern about their deleterious effects on both human
health and the environment. Recycling does typically help but illegally dumping plastic waste without
following guidelines results in severe consequences that affect multiple ecosystems. Furthermore,
scientific studies suggest that increased air pollution caused by rampant plastic consumption leads to
serious health outcomes like cancer or respiratory illnesses such as asthma. In this report we will explore
various kinds of plastics used to package drinks - focusing primary attention on their potential risk factors
for human health and overall environmental impact

The Impact of Plastic Bottles on Air Quality:

Firstly, the burning of plastic bottles contributes to a significant rate of environmental harm and health
diseases. The type of plastic used in factories to produce various products are called polyethylene
terephthalate (PET), which requires vast amounts of energy and produces greenhouse gases since plastic
bottles do not biodegrade quickly - they take hundreds of years in some cases, adding up to unsightly
debris on roadsides, landfills, oceans, and other spaces where animals live (Public and Environmental
Health Effects of Plastic Wastes Disposal: A Review, 2019). Another major problem is the fumes released
from burning PET plastic which contain substances such as dioxins and furans, are extremely harmful
compounds that poison individuals with exposure through air or physical contact. The carbon cycle states
that fossil fuels are extracted from the soil and are burned from factory emissions, then it precipitates
greenhouse gasses such as Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere. Carbon in the atmosphere produces
volatile organic compounds, a type of gas that emits into the atmosphere. After stored carbon is
precipitated into the atmosphere, they dissolve into the ocean caused by photosynthesis from the sun, and
it causes the ocean to acidify. With this in mind, Bacteria and harmful microorganisms grow inside plastic
bottles which are caused from the release of volatile organic compounds and other chemicals when they
are reused. In addition, reusing plastic containers indoors can worsen the current problem of polluted air
quality we already face today. A study has uncovered some worrying statistics regarding plastic usage
and recycling rates in different countries. It seems that Americans use a whopping average of 86 kg of
plastic annually while Germany is leading the way by successfully recycling roughly 80% of their yearly
volume - which equates to about 800 tons! Unfortunately the UK seems to be falling short in comparison
with relatively meager figures for recycling at just around 200 tons (Public and Environmental Health
Effects of Plastic Waste Disposal: A Review, 2019).
How do plastic bottles affect air quality?
Alternatives to Plastic Bottles:

The use of plastic water bottles and its harmful effects on air quality need to be addressed urgently by
looking for possible solutions. Reusable water bottles, made with robust materials such as stainless steel,
glass, or aluminum, offer a viable and environmentally safe solution (Environmental Pollution and Waste
Management, 2015). To encourage reduction of overreliance on single-use plastics, governments must
implement policies mandating the proper disposal of plastic waste. The community should be involved in
organizing events such as beach clean-ups and implementing water recycling systems in commercial
buildings, in order to reduce plastic consumption. People can support this cause, as well, by opting for
biodegradable packaging and businesses can incentivize their employees to use eco-friendly packaging.
By advocating the use of reusable water bottles, and reducing plastic consumption, a huge step can be
taken towards a healthier environment.

Conclusion:

In summary, plastic bottles significantly affect air quality. The manufacturing process, transportation
needs, and disposal all lead to increased air pollution levels. Not only do they harm our human health, but
they also emit toxins (Public and Environmental Health Effects of Plastic Waste Disposal: A Review,
2019). With this negative impact on both the environment and health outcomes for humans, it is
imperative that we consider alternative choices, such as reusable water bottles made from materials such
as glass or metal, instead of single-used ones. Another helpful step would be to reduce bottled water
consumption by drinking tap directly or employing personal filtration systems at home instead of
purchasing more single-use plastics; additionally, governments should take active measures by
implementing producer responsibility programs among other strategies geared towards encouraging
reusable choices. With these changes in place, we will be able to reduce the amount of plastic waste
polluting our surroundings, thereby safeguarding future generations.

References:

Patrício Silva, A. L., Prata, J. C., Walker, T. R., Campos, D., Duarte, A. C., Soares, A. M. V. M., Barcelò,
D., & Rocha-Santos, T. (2020). Rethinking and optimizing plastic waste management under COVID-19
pandemic: Policy solutions based on redesign and reduction of single-use plastics and personal protective
How do plastic bottles affect air quality?
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Author links open overlay panelWalter Leal Filho a c, a, c, b, d, e, f, Highlights•The results of a

worldwide survey with 202 respondents from 41 countries are presented. •The COVID-19 pandemic led
to increased consumption of single-use plastics.•The main reasons seem to be associated with food
packaging and plastic bags.•T, & AbstractThe Coronavirus pandemic promoted an unprecedented change
in consumption habits. (2021, June 21).

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