7 ms·

"I don’t think we need to argue plastic incurred harm, it should be obvious." ? I'd like a clear and obvious reference.

toomuchtodo 3y ago
https://hn.algolia.com/?q=plastics https://hn.algolia.com/?q=plastics https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=false&query=plastics&sort=byDate&type=story https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=false&qu...
- casualrandomcom 3y ago
  Don't you see that 90% of these is just "There is plastic in the environment" It does not say "plastic harms this or that". The equality "plastic presence"=="plastic harm" is not obvious to me To me it is just like "man-made electromagnetic waves are everywhere, they are not natural, ergo this harms the environment"
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  - TotempaaltJ 3y ago
    I googled "plastic harm", immediately hit this Wikipedia page (linked to relevant section): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_pollution#Effects https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_pollution#Effects It's fairly well sourced. Some examples of harm from plastics, mostly on the environment: > Degradation (changes in the ecosystem state) and modifications of marine systems are associated with loss of ecosystem services and values. > in 2019, production and incineration of plastic will contribute greenhouse gases in the equivalent of 850 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere > For example, in Bangkok flood risk increases substantially because of plastic waste clogging the already overburdened sewer system. > Marine wildlife such as seabirds, whales, fish and turtles mistake plastic waste for prey; most then die of starvation as their stomachs become filled with plastic. They also suffer from lacerations, infections, reduced ability to swim, and internal injuries. > When analyzing the effect of polyethylene microbeads (origin: cosmetic exfoliants) on the aquatic macrophyte L. minor, no effect on photosynthetic pigments & productivity was found, but root growth and root cell viability decreased. But this one's about humans: > By affecting the thyroid hormone axis, BPA exposure can lead to hypothyroidism.
tremon 3y ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pacific_garbage_patch?useskin=timeless https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pacific_garbage_patch?us...
- trothamel 3y ago
  For perspective on the numbers in that map, the first meter of each of those square kilometers of water weighs 1,024,000,000 kg. (At least, using the first number for sea water density I could find.)

https://hn.algolia.com/?q=plastics https://hn.algolia.com/?q=plastics https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=false&query=plastics&sort=byDate&type=story https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=false&qu...

casualrandomcom 3y ago
Don't you see that 90% of these is just "There is plastic in the environment" It does not say "plastic harms this or that". The equality "plastic presence"=="plastic harm" is not obvious to me To me it is just like "man-made electromagnetic waves are everywhere, they are not natural, ergo this harms the environment"
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- TotempaaltJ 3y ago
  I googled "plastic harm", immediately hit this Wikipedia page (linked to relevant section): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_pollution#Effects https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_pollution#Effects It's fairly well sourced. Some examples of harm from plastics, mostly on the environment: > Degradation (changes in the ecosystem state) and modifications of marine systems are associated with loss of ecosystem services and values. > in 2019, production and incineration of plastic will contribute greenhouse gases in the equivalent of 850 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere > For example, in Bangkok flood risk increases substantially because of plastic waste clogging the already overburdened sewer system. > Marine wildlife such as seabirds, whales, fish and turtles mistake plastic waste for prey; most then die of starvation as their stomachs become filled with plastic. They also suffer from lacerations, infections, reduced ability to swim, and internal injuries. > When analyzing the effect of polyethylene microbeads (origin: cosmetic exfoliants) on the aquatic macrophyte L. minor, no effect on photosynthetic pigments & productivity was found, but root growth and root cell viability decreased. But this one's about humans: > By affecting the thyroid hormone axis, BPA exposure can lead to hypothyroidism.

tremon 3y ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pacific_garbage_patch?useskin=timeless https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pacific_garbage_patch?us...

trothamel 3y ago
For perspective on the numbers in that map, the first meter of each of those square kilometers of water weighs 1,024,000,000 kg. (At least, using the first number for sea water density I could find.)