Bioplastics and Compostable Plastics

The plastic which we generally use are petroleum-based products and the Plastic-pollution is attainging alarming stages. Bio-based alternatives to the plastic have crept up into the scene.

When we use the terms "biopolymer" or "bioplastic," are we talking about a plastic material that is biobased, i.e. based on renewable materials so that the waste rarely makes it back into the soil.

Corn-based bioplastics are being used for making water bottles and disposable cutlery as efficient alternatives.

Bioplastics came into existence some 15 years ago.It created a quite a stir in the environmental community.


Bioplastics have different categories e.g. compostable, biodegradable and degradable plastics. The compostable plastics must meet at least three essential requirements:

•They should biodegrade at a rate comparable to food scraps and other compostable materials;
•They should disintegrate, so that no large plastic fragments remain to be screened
•They should disintegrate and biodegrade safely so that the compost is able to support plant growth.

Biodegradable and degradable plastics are different from compostable plastics, as they have different technical specifications.

Biodegradable Plastic degrades by natural microorganisms (bacteria, fungi etc.). There is no specification about leaving "toxic residue," and no requirement for the time span it needs to biodegrade.

Degradable Plastic will undergo a significant change at the chemical level under specific environmental conditions resulting in a loss of some properties.The plastic does'nt have to degrade by "naturally occurring microorganism" nor toxicity, time span, or complete disintegration are specified.

It should be noted that there have been various studies conducted on both degradation and biodegradation in varying environments, such as soil and marine testing. However, standardization results have not yet been set, making it difficult to critique their viability as environmentally sound product ideas


The replacement of traditional plastic products with bioplastics will reduce manufacturing energy requirements and help reduce waste, improve air quality, conserve petroleum supplies, and reduce cleanup costs but things are still in the research and testing stage and the final products are yet to come and the test of their feasibility is awaited.

Allergy

What is Allergy?

Have you ever started wheezing after spending too much time outdoors especially in traffic? Or suddenly sneezed when breathing in the fumes released by a factory? Or felt your tongue swell up after eating prawns? Or got a red angry rash on your skin for no apparent reason? Do you often suffer from headaches, nausea, or fatigue? If your answer is yes to any one or more of these questions, then you may be suffering from an allergy.

DEFINITION

The word ‘allergy’ comes from two Greek words, which mean ‘altered reaction’. In case of a living organism’s body, it is the hyper-sensitivity of the immune system to allergens (allergy causing substances). And this makes our immune system attack the body itself! Allergies can be of various types – inhalant, food, chemical, skin, and multiple – and their symptoms can vary from a mild rash to an asthma attack. Some reactions can even lead to death. So are we incapable of taking in these aliens? No, we are not.


ALLERGIC FIGHT

Nature has given many weapons to our bodies against the invasion of unwanted alien substances. These include our nose hair, earwax, skin, and mucous. But the most important among these is our immune system, which produces white blood cells (WBC) to fight infection and diseases. But, the enemy is getting stronger day by day. The increasing number of irritants present in the environment is slowly overpowering our bodies’ natural defenses.


CHANGING ENVIRONMENT

Allergies have existed from time immemorial. However, they were never as widespread or severe as they are today. Normally, natural allergens like pollen cause seasonal allergies, which run their course and die out. But according to most doctors, allergies are no more seasonal. They have become perennial. And this is due to the influence of ‘unnatural’ allergens – like fumes of diesel exhausts, volatile organic solvents (VOC), pesticides, and tobacco smoke.

These health hazards are ever present around us, and we are completely unaware of their threat. Rapid industrialization and an increased dependence on products with high chemical content have wrecked havoc on our environment and in turn, our bodies. Contamination of food and water with pesticides and fertilizers, addiction to processed food items and additives, dust, smog, and constant exposure to VOCs from regularly used substances like plastics, adhesives and paints are all harming our bodies. And our defense systems cannot keep pace with these rapid changes in the environment.

Moreover, it is a vicious cycle. Increase in allergies means reduced efficiency of the immune system, which in turn means that the body becomes more susceptible to diseases.


BATTLE STRATEGY

In the battle against dirt, the central vacuum cleaner is the most high-tech weapon in the arsenal...

we should avoid the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers, chemical additives in food, use of diesel in vehicles, and smoking in public areas also fall in this danger zone.

Yoga and Pranayam may also help fighting it.

In a nutshell, we must deter the degradation of our environment and work towards cleaning it up.