Mention some characteristics of plastics and their effect on environment
Answers
Answer:
However, concerns about usage and disposal are diverse and include accumulation of waste in landfills and in natural habitats, physical problems for wildlife resulting from ingestion or entanglement in plastic, the leaching of chemicals from plastic products and the potential for plastics to transfer chemicals
Answer:
Plastics are polymers made from monomers.
Examples:
• Polyethene
• PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
• Polystyrene
• Polypropene
• PET
Classification of plastics
i. Based on the arrangement of monomers plastics are classified into
two. They are:
ii. Based on the action towards heat plastics are again classified into two.
a) Thermoplastics :- These plastics melt very easily and can bend easily.
It can be recycled.
Example : Polythene , PVC, PP, PS
b) Thermosetting plastics :- These plastics do not melt easily. Once it is
melted and moulded, it cannot be remoulded again. So, it cannot be
recycled.
Example:
• Bakelite – It is a very poor conductor of heat and electricity. So,
it is used to make electrical switches, handles of frying pans, etc.
• Melamine – It resists fire and can tolerate heat better than other
plastics. So, it is used to make fire proof fabrics, utensils, floor
tile, etc.
Advantages of plastics
➢ Poor conductors
➢ Non-reactive
➢ Less expensive
➢ Light weight
➢ Safe to handle
➢ Easy to handle
➢ More available
Harmful effects of plastics
➢ Plastics are non – biodegradable - they do not degrade naturally.
➢ It causes soil pollution.
➢ It causes water pollution.
➢ It causes air pollution.
➢ Plastic covers are dangerous to animals.
Methods to prevent plastic pollution
➢ Try to avoid plastic bags and start using cloth bags.
➢ Do not dump plastic waste into water bodies.
➢ Do not burn plastic waste instead try to recycle or reuse plastic objects.