Plastics: Time for a Rethink? Part 1

Abstract

##Purpose: To review recent literature on plastics in the environment and summarise the dangers of plastic both in the environment and their potential health effects on humans. An online search for articles in the scientific literature on the environmental and health effects of plastics, microplastics and nanoplastic particles. The review showed that the production of plastics is increasing worldwide and has spread throughout the environment. Evidence of damage to the environment from all types of waste is increasing, including distressing evidence of sea animals swallowing plastic bags and starving or getting trapped in plastic. 81 out of 123 marine mammal species are known to have eaten plastic or been trapped by it. Microplastics could be undermining the food chain in the oceans by reducing the growth rate of Zooplankton. There is increasing evidence of potentially dangerous health effects from the ingestion and inhalation of plastics by humans. Approximately, 4,200 chemicals are used in plastics, some of which are toxic. Some chemicals used in plastic manufacture are hormone disruptors. ##Conclusion: The use of plastics and their waste is producing dangerous environmental and health effects worldwide. The use of plastics in dentistry needs to be considered with the view of reducing the amount used and the disposal of waste.