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Nuclear
Energy
The fuel of life
Natural Gas Oil
Coal
Substances that we use in our daily life can be categorized into two types:
Biodegradable substances
Non-Biodegradable substances
Biodegradable substances are those substances that get decomposed or decay on their own by using
natural agents and get mixed in the soil. For example plants, animals their waste paper, etc.
Non-Biodegradable substances are those substances that don’t get decomposed or decay on their own
and don t mix with the soil. For example plastic, chemicals, paint, etc. So, non-biodegradable resources are
hazardous. One of the most hazardous non-biodegradable resources that is posing a threat to the environment
is ‘Plastic’.
Harmful effects of Plastic
Plastics are non-biodegradable polymers that do not get decayed on their own and with the passage of
time, various layers are formed which gets covered with eroded soil, mud, sand, etc. Due to their deposition,
natural rainwater doesn t percolate through the soil and the water table underground is depleting. It is one
of the major causes of water crisis. Due to the deposition of plastic under soil, the land is becoming barren
as plastic makes an opaque connection between soil and the germinating seed.
On burning plastic, it releases some harmful gases that contain some carcinogenic components (i.e.,-
cancer-causing chemicals). It can cause lung cancer, blood cancer, etc. It is not only affecting our present
generation but can have a bad impact on our future generation by becoming a reason for congenital
disease in kids (kids with birth defects).
Heating food in plastic containers emits plastic granules due to its low melting point causes some
hazardous chemical changes to the food which is risky for our health.
Precautionary measures against the use of plastic:
We should avoid using plastic and limit its use as far as possible.
We should use cloth bags as an alternative to easy carrying plastic bags.
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