Omar Khalid
Plastic is a synthetic or semi-synthetic material made of polymers that can be moulded into solid objects. The word 'plastic' is derived from the Ancient Greek πλαστικός (plastikos), meaning capable of being shaped or moulded. Plastics are typically organic polymers of high molecular mass, made from petrochemicals, and are used in a wide variety of applications. The world's first fully synthetic plastic was Bakelite, invented in New York in 1907 by Leo Baekeland, who coined the term plastics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Any of numerous organic synthetic or processed materials that are mostly thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers of high molecular weight |
| Composition | Polymer-containing compounds |
| Structure | Chains of molecules (monomers) linked together to create a large molecule (polymer) |
| Deformability | Can be moulded, extruded, or pressed into a diverse range of solid forms |
| Weight | Low weight |
| Durability | Durable |
| Flexibility | Flexible |
| Chemical properties | Chemical resistance, low toxicity |
| Cost | Low-cost production |
| Production | Produced from natural gas, petroleum, or renewable resources |
| Environmental impact | Slow decomposition rate in natural ecosystems, contributing to plastic pollution |
| Uses | Packaging, building materials, medical devices, consumer goods, automobiles, furniture, toys, renewable energy generation |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic's adaptability
Plastic is a term used to describe a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic materials composed primarily of polymers. The plasticity of plastics is their defining characteristic, allowing them to be moulded, extruded, or pressed into a diverse range of solid forms. This adaptability, combined with properties such as low weight, durability, flexibility, chemical resistance, low toxicity, and low-cost production, has led to their widespread use around the world.
Plastics can be classified by the chemical processes used in their synthesis, such as condensation, polyaddition, and cross-linking, or by their physical properties, including hardness, density, tensile strength, thermal resistance, and glass transition temperature. They can also be classified by their resistance to various substances and processes, such as exposure to organic solvents, oxidation, and ionizing radiation.
The adaptability of plastics has led to their use in a variety of applications, including medical devices, lightweight construction materials, automobiles, furniture, toys, and packaging. The world's first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was invented in 1907, and since then, plastics have become dominant, with an estimated 9.2 billion metric tons produced between 1950 and 2017.
However, the success of plastics has also led to environmental concerns due to their slow decomposition rate in natural ecosystems. Most plastic has not been reused, with a significant portion ending up in landfills or as plastic pollution. While some plastic is unsuitable for reuse, efforts are being made to make polymers and plastics safer for the environment, and a growing minority of plastics are produced from renewable resources.
The adaptability of plastics, therefore, has had both benefits and drawbacks. While it has enabled a range of applications that have benefited mankind, it has also contributed to environmental issues that need to be addressed.
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Plastic's environmental impact
Plastic is a term used to describe a wide range of synthetic or processed materials that can be moulded into objects, films, fibres, plates, tubes, bottles, and boxes. The defining characteristic of plastics is their plasticity, which allows them to be easily deformed and moulded into a diverse range of solid forms. This adaptability, combined with their low weight, durability, flexibility, chemical resistance, low toxicity, and low-cost production, has led to their widespread use around the world.
However, the environmental impact of plastics is a significant concern. Plastic pollution has become ubiquitous, with plastic waste accumulating in natural and built environments, including the oceans, rivers, agricultural soils, and the air. The durability of plastics means that discarded items can remain in the environment for long periods, with research indicating that plastic pollution may take between 100 to 1,000 years or more to decompose, depending on environmental conditions.
Microplastics, plastic particles ranging in size from five millimetres to one nanometre, and nanoplastics, particles smaller than one micrometer, have been found in every ecosystem on the planet, from the Antarctic tundra to tropical coral reefs. Plastic pollution poses a threat to marine life, with over 1,500 species in marine and terrestrial environments known to ingest plastics, leading to potential health risks. It is also a concern for human health, with microplastics and nanoplastics detected in all sources of water, types of food, and human tissue. The production and disposal of plastics also contribute to climate change, with annual emissions related to plastic production in the EU amounting to around 13.4 million tonnes of CO2.
While the convenience and versatility of plastics have undoubtedly brought benefits to various industries, the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution are significant and widespread. The persistence of plastic pollution in the environment and its potential toxic effects on ecosystems and human health underscore the urgency of addressing this global issue. Efforts to reduce plastic pollution, such as the EU's Zero Pollution Action Plan, are crucial steps towards mitigating the environmental impact of plastics.
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Plastic's health impact
Plastic is a synthetic material that can be moulded into a diverse range of solid forms. Its adaptability, low weight, durability, flexibility, chemical resistance, low toxicity, and low-cost production have led to its widespread use around the world.
Plastics have played a significant role in almost every aspect of human life, from medical advancements to lightweight construction materials and food packaging. However, plastic pollution poses a serious threat to human health at every stage of its lifecycle, from the extraction of fossil fuels to production, manufacturing, use, recycling, and disposal.
The toxic chemical additives and pollutants found in plastics threaten human health on a global scale. Humans are exposed to these toxic chemicals and microplastics through inhalation, ingestion, and direct skin contact. An average person is estimated to ingest approximately 5 grams of plastic weekly. Studies have shown that microplastics can damage cells in the human body, leading to cancers, lung disease, and birth defects. Additionally, the toxic chemical additives in plastics can alter hormone activity, disrupting reproduction, growth, and cognitive function.
Vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, workers in the informal waste sector, and marginalised communities, are particularly at risk of the adverse health effects of plastic pollution. Exposure to plastics during pregnancy and early childhood development has been linked to increased risks of prematurity, stillbirth, birth defects, neurodevelopmental impairment, impaired lung growth, and childhood cancer.
Plastic pollution is persistent and can take between 100 to 1,000 years or more to decompose, depending on environmental conditions. Once in the environment, plastic can break down into microplastics, which are consumed by marine species and enter the human food chain. As plastic waste clogs our land, air, and waterways, it contributes to climate change and the numerous health risks associated with warming temperatures and extreme weather events.
While plastic has brought about numerous benefits, its negative impact on human health and the environment cannot be ignored. Addressing plastic pollution and reducing its harmful effects on current and future generations is a pressing global challenge.
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Plastic's history
The word "plastic" comes from the Ancient Greek πλαστικός (plastikos), meaning "capable of being shaped or molded," which itself comes from πλαστος (plastos), meaning "molded" or "formed." The term "plastics" was coined by Leo Baekeland in 1907, when he invented Bakelite, the world's first fully synthetic plastic, in New York. Baekeland's invention was a significant milestone, as it meant that for the first time, human manufacturing was not constrained by the limits of nature.
The creation of synthetic polymers began in 1869 when John Wesley Hyatt invented the first synthetic polymer. Hyatt was inspired by a New York firm's offer of $10,000 for anyone who could provide an alternative to ivory. By treating cellulose derived from cotton fiber with camphor, Hyatt discovered a plastic that could be crafted into various shapes and imitations of natural substances.
Since the early 20th century, plastics have had a major impact on mankind, from medical devices to lightweight construction materials. However, the widespread adoption of plastics has also had consequences for our health and the environment. Plastic pollutes landscapes, oceans, air, and bodies, and has even entered the fossil record.
Plastics are produced in chemical plants by the polymerization of their starting materials (monomers), which are almost always derived from petrochemicals. While most plastics are produced from natural gas and petroleum, a growing number are produced from renewable resources like polylactic acid. Between 1950 and 2017, 9.2 billion metric tons of plastic were produced, with more than half of this amount being made since 2004. If global trends continue, annual global plastic production is projected to exceed 1.3 billion tons by 2060.
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Plastic's production
Plastic is any of numerous organic synthetic or processed materials that are mostly thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers of high molecular weight. They can be formed into objects, films, or fibres. The defining characteristic of plastics, known as plasticity, allows them to be moulded, extruded, or pressed into a diverse range of solid forms.
Plastics are derived from natural, organic materials such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and crude oil. The production of plastics begins with the distillation of crude oil in an oil refinery. This separates the heavy crude oil into groups of lighter components, called fractions. Each fraction is a mixture of hydrocarbon chains (chemical compounds made up of carbon and hydrogen), which differ in terms of the size and structure of their molecules. One of these fractions, naphtha, is the crucial compound for the production of plastics.
Two main processes are used to produce plastics: polymerisation and polycondensation. In a polymerisation reactor, monomers such as ethylene and propylene are linked together to form long polymer chains. Hydrocarbon monomers are then linked together by chemical polymerisation to produce polymers. This process generates thick, viscous substances as resins, which are used to make plastic products.
The pellets of plastic are poured into a reactor, melted into a thick liquid, and then cast into a mould. The liquid then cools down and hardens into a solid plastic product. This processing of the polymer also includes the addition of plasticizers, dyes, and flame-retardant chemicals.
There are many different types of plastics, such as polyethylene, which is widely used in product packaging, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), used in construction and pipes due to its strength and durability.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic is an artificial substance that can be shaped when soft into many different forms.
Plasticity is the deformability of the materials used in the manufacture of plastics. It allows moulding, extrusion, or compression into a variety of shapes.
Polymers are plastics. They are made by linking chains of molecules (monomers) together to create a large molecule (a polymer).
Plastics are used in a wide range of applications, including medical devices, construction materials, packaging, automobiles, furniture, and toys.
