International Clinical and Medical Case Reports Journal (ISSN: 2832-5788) | Volume 2, Issue 5 | Research Article | Open Access

Life is Plastic, and It is Not Fantastic

Akhil Allakky*

General Practioner, Hyderabad, India

*Correspondence to: Akhil Allakky 

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Abstract

Objective: To further shed light on the effects of plastic and its components on our health and environment.

Methods:Tertiary data from previously published literature pertaining to our topic of interest was used and analyzed for this research article. Five such published papers were selected from international journals and relevant information was studied and extracted.

Results: Plastic and its ubiquitous form known as microplastic has been deemed to be harmful not only to the environment but also to human health as it inevitably enters the food chain and becomes a part of our dietary consumption. Drinking water bottles alone contributed to the consumption of over 90000 particles of microplastics in the average American. Plastic was also found in the placenta of pregnant mothers which has been discovered to hamper the cell-signalling pathway and cause fetal growth defects and preeclampsia. A compound of plastic known as phthalates was also found to be associated with the development of childhood asthma. Microplastics have also been observed to trigger the release of hepatic inflammatory markers in mice that lead to fibrosis.

Conclusion: Although research on the effects of microplastics and their effects is limited it holds significance as plastic has become an imperative part of our daily lives. It may be a distant vision to have a plastic-free world but it is not impossible. It may be recommended that plastic usage especially that is non-biodegradable be banned and its usage be limited especially to pregnant mothers and children.

Keywords:

Plasti; Microplastic; Carcinogenic; Pregnancy; Environment; Cytotoxicity

Citation:

Akhil Allakky. Life is Plastic, and It is Not Fantastic. Int Clinc Med Case Rep Jour. 2023;2(5):1-3.