The reality of plastics, pesticides, and fertilizers.
Deepa Patel
?? Regenerative Organic Agriculture Technical Assistant Provider | Founder | Author | Project manager???
Forever chemicals – the impact of use in our daily lives.
In our daily lives, plastics, pesticides, and fertilizers quietly surround us, integrated into nearly every aspect of modern society. While they offer convenience and productivity, they mask a harsh truth: these substances slowly erode our planet's health, ecosystems, and even our bodies. All these compounds contain forever chemicals directly linked to Cancer, congenital disabilities, and immune system suppression in humans and wildlife.
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - a group of human-made chemicals widely used in various industrial and consumer products. PFAS is resistant to water, grease, stains, and heat. PFAS are often called "forever chemicals" because they easily accumulate in our bodies and environment as they do not break down.
Fundamental properties and uses of PFAS:
Industrial applications: Applied in electronics manufacturing and as lubricants.
Health and environmental concerns:
Plastics: Evolution from Convenience to Contamination
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"Plastics stay in our ecosystem – land or ocean for over 1,000 years.
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History of Plastics
The following timeline highlights the evolution of plastics from natural materials to fully synthetic and bioplastics over centuries.
Before Common Era: Early civilizations manipulated natural materials like rubber, amber, and tortoise shells to create objects by heating and molding.
1862: Alexander Parkes invented Parkesine, the first synthetic plastic made from cellulose, showcased at the London International Exhibition.
1870: John Wesley Hyatt developed celluloid, the first commercial plastic, which replaced ivory in billiard balls.
1907: Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite, the first fully synthetic industrial plastic used in electrical insulation and everyday items.
1908: J. Brandenberger invented cellophane, the first flexible and transparent plastic.
1926: Waldo Semon plasticized PVC, making it pliable for commercial use, marking the start of PVC's commercial success.
1935: DuPont developed polyamide (nylon) used in parachutes and stockings during World War II.
1938: Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) was discovered, later becoming famous for its non-stick properties in cookware.
1940s: World War II accelerated the production of synthetic materials like silicone and synthetic rubber to meet military needs.?
1947: Rilsan (Polyamide 11) was introduced as the first bioplastic derived from castor oil.
1949: Melamine-formaldehyde plastics (Formica) became famous for kitchenware and furniture.
1953: High-density polyethylene (HDPE) was invented and used in containers, fuel tanks, and pipes.
1973: The oil crisis made plastics more efficient and adaptable, transforming them into high-tech materials.
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1990s: Bioplastics, like PLA and PHAs, emerged, aligning with growing environmental concerns.
2021: Global plastic production reached a record 460 million metric tons despite protests and environmental concerns.
Source - Carbiolice?
Contamination
Plastics have been seen as a symbol of progress. But today, plastics are at the heart of a global environmental crisis.
Plastic overuse has led to catastrophic global issues as millions of tons of waste are in our oceans, landfills, and even our bodies. Humans and the biodiversity around us all have plastics in our bodies. Plastics stay in our landfills and water for over a thousand years as it was developed specifically for World War II equipment. The purpose was to provide a non-destructible coating on fighting equipment. Unfortunately, Dupont monetized this non-destructive compound for other applications, which include our Teflon pots and pans.
Studies conducted from 2010 to March 2024 have shown the presence of microplastics in human placentas. Plastic particles can cross the placental barrier and reach the fetus, raising concerns about potential impacts on fetal brain development. Scientists have also found microplastics in 1,300 species.
Source – Science.org
Direct research specifically analyzing plastics found in a fetus's brain is still limited and ongoing.?
Source - NCBI
Microplastics aren't just a waste problem—they're a contamination problem. They filtrate harmful chemicals into the soil and water, threatening human health and ecosystems. Microplastics, which break down into larger pieces, are now present in the food we eat and the water we drink, as well as in marine animals and birds.
Microplastic contamination calls for a drastic shift in the regenerative agriculture movement. We need to reduce our reliance on plastic and instead turn toward natural, biodegradable alternatives that align with nature's cycles.
Pesticides: Short-Term Solutions with Long-Term Consequences
Pesticides are used globally to protect farmlands to protect crops from pests and diseases. But they have dangerous side effects.
Chemicals like glyphosate have been labeled as probable carcinogens, raising alarms about their widespread use in conventional farming. Monoculture farming practices lead to soil erosion that fosters pests, and crops cannot defend themselves from organic microbiomes.
Glyphosate is an active ingredient in herbicides like Roundup, and it is now recognized as a carcinogen. Pesticides have a significant role in the decline of pollinators like bees and butterflies. Our entire food system is at risk as crops cannot grow without pollinators. Monsanto faced multiple legal challenges, and in January 2024, Monsanto and Bayer, its parent company, were ordered to pay $2.25 billion to a man who developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Take some time to watch the movie - "Dark Waters."
Pesticides penetrate the soil, killing the healthy microbiome, and the runoff pollutes our rivers and streams. These chemicals ultimately make their way into our oceans, impacting marine life. Consider the impact of all the pesticides you use in your gardens to keep them pristine and weed-free. We will reach a point where there won't be any soil on this planet that will not contain carcinogens.
Fertilizers: Feeing the Soil or Fueling Pollution?
Current monoculture agriculture practices use a lot of synthetic fertilizers, which has created problems for our environment and ecosystems.
Synthetic fertilizers like nitrogen and phosphorus boost crop yields in the short term, but their long-term impact is devastating. Farm runoff contaminates our rivers and oceans, fostering toxic algal blooms and dead zones where marine life cannot survive. Synthetic fertilizers also degrade our soils, limiting their ability to retain water and nutrients to support life below the ground.
We eat produce grown using synthetic fertilizers, which can lead to illnesses like Cancer. The long-term solution is to incorporate regenerative agriculture in our farming practices, which will restore our land, water resources, and oceans. We will have a healthy ecosystem supporting us and the biodiversity around us.
It's time to stop accepting short-term gains at the expense of long-term harm. The future is regenerative, and we can make it a reality together.
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