Perspectives in Public Health

By: Honourable Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, MP

EVEN though it is considered one of the most preferred materials in the modern industrial world, plastic is now posing a serious threat to the environment as well as consumers’ health, in many direct and indirect ways. The exposure to harmful chemicals during manufacturing, leaching in the stored food items while using plastic packages or chewing of plastic teethers and toys by children have all been linked with severe adverse health outcomes such as cancers, birth defects, impaired immunity, endocrine disruption, developmental and reproductive effects, among others. It can arguably be said that we are long past the time for the regulation of plastic use as well as the promotion of plastic substitutes and the safe disposal of plastic waste in Guyana. Strategically rethinking the way we deal with plastics will surely help in reducing the significant environmental and public health hazards it poses.

Why is plastic harmful?
Plastics are derived from organic materials such as crude oil, natural gas, salt, coal and, in more recent years, from bio-matter. Many thousands of different polymers are created through combining different organic chemicals together in a number of ways to create plastic. Since its introduction, fuel-based plastics have revolutionized the industrial world. There is practically no area of manufacturing today that does not involve the use of plastic. Through its cost effectiveness and particularly its convenience, plastic became the most preferred material of choice in the manufacturing sector, that is, until recently when a rethinking about its impact on the environment and public health began to gradually slow its continued use.

Phthalates or phthalate esters are esters of phthalic acid mainly used as plasticizers (the substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility and transparency) in Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC). PVC is a widely-used material which can be found in most toys and other children’s products such as chewy teethers, soft figures, and inflatable toys.

It is very important to note that phthalates migrate into the air, into food and into people. Phthalates can be released from soft PVC by surface contact, especially where mechanical pressure is applied (e.g. during chewing of a PVC teether). Release of phthalates during manufacture, use and disposal of PVC products, in addition to their use as additives in ink, perfumes, among others, has led to their ubiquitous distribution and abundance in the global environment.

Chemicals added to plastics are absorbed by human bodies. Some of these compounds have been found to alter hormones or have other potential human health effects. People are exposed to chemicals from plastic multiple times per day through the air, dust, water, food, and use of consumer products. In addition, bisphenol A (BPA), found in polycarbonate bottles and the linings of food and beverage cans, can leach into food and drinks.

Guyana’s approach to the use of plastics
The Government of Guyana is currently in the process of establishing legislation that will curtail the use of plastics in Guyana. In keeping with His Excellency, Brigadier (ret’d) President David A. Granger’s Green State Strategy, the use and disposal of plastics is being addressed in a holistic manner which will involve a multi-sectoral interdisciplinary approach.

A simple but effective measure was already taken in January 2017, when Section 7A (1) of the Customs Act Chapter 82:01 was amended to incorporate an environmental levy of GUY$10. This levy is being applied to all non-returnable bottles of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages or water and came into effect from February 1, 2017.

Leading supermarkets are also supportive of the move to eradicate the use of plastics. Supermarkets are promoting the use of biodegradable cloth bags as well as cardboard boxes in which customers can carry their purchases. A premium price is now placed on single use plastic bags in some of the leading supermarkets in Guyana. This initiative is commendable and must be supported by all other business entities.

There is also A National Solid Waste Management Strategy for the Cooperative Republic of Guyana 2013 – 2024, which is a comprehensive document that outlines a clear vision which reads: “Informed communities participating in nationwide, integrated and financially self-sustaining waste management and resource recovery system that preserves public health and the environment, realises maximum value from resources, and minimises long-term costs to households, industry and government.” You can use the following link to access and read this strategy: http://moc.gov.gy/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/National-Solid-Waste-Management-Strategy.pdf

Careful steps must be taken to dispose of plastics
When dealing with plastics in the home or workplace, careful attention must be placed on its disposal. Refrain from throwing plastic waste in gutters, trenches, rivers, or creeks. Do not burn plastic waste in your yards or around your homes. When plastic is burned, it releases acids, gases, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, metals, dioxins and furans, and at least 190 other volatile organic compounds – many of which are not monitored – into the environment.

It is better to place your plastic trash in your bins and have the garbage collectors take it to the municipal landfill site where it could be disposed of properly.

Please know that all the plastic ever made still remains on the planet. A new study estimates that ever since its emergence, there is about 9 billion tonnes of plastics on the planet. Therefore, too much caution cannot be exercised when disposing plastic waste.

Some simple ways to deal with plastic
There are a number of very simple things we can do to ensure we limit the ways we deal with plastics. The following are some specific suggestions:
* Buy food in glass or metal containers
* Avoid heating food in plastic containers, or storing fatty foods in plastic containers or plastic wrap.
* Do not give young children plastic teethers or toys
* Use natural fiber clothing, bedding, and furniture
* Avoid all PVC and Styrene products
* Use a reusable produce bag. A single plastic bag can take 1,000 years to degrade. Purchase or make your own reusable produce bag and be sure to wash them often!
* Use matches instead of disposable plastic lighters or invest in a refillable metal lighter.
* Switch from disposable diapers to cloth.

Plastic has always been considered a wonder material that is cheap and brilliantly robust – so robust that it is virtually non-degradable. Every piece of plastic ever created is still here on the planet causing untold harm to our natural environment as well as to our health. We must rethink the way we deal with plastic so that we can avoid its harmful effects. The Government of Guyana is in the process of putting measures in place to limit the use of plastics and to establish proper disposal methods. However, you can play your part through very small but meaningful actions in your home or workplace to limit the use of plastic, where possible. We have to be careful that we leave an environment in which our children and our children’s children can be safe from the harmful effects of plastics.

Managing and reducing the amount of plastic in our environment starts with you!