Description

Source: IE

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context :

Black plastic came into the news when a study raised concerns that it releases toxic flame retardants into food.
This includes everyday items like kitchen utensils & takeout containers.

Details :

The study suggested that black plastic products may contain harmful chemicals from recycled electronics, which can create a problem for our health.
However, the study was later corrected when researchers said that earlier they made a mistake in their calculations about a chemical called BDE-209.
This correction again brought further discussions about whether black plastic products are actually safe to use.

What is a chemical called BDE-209 ?

BDE-209 is also known as Decabromodiphenyl Ether (DecaBDE).
It is a brominated flame retardant with a biphenyl structure and 10 bromine atoms.
It is used in electronics, fabrics, plastics, and other materials to reduce flammability.
It has raised environmental and health concerns due to its persistence and
its use has been restricted or phased out in many countries.
It is a Part of the group of chemicals called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).

What is Bioaccumulation ?

It is the gradual build up of chemicals in an organism over time. It happens when chemicals are absorbed faster than they can be broken down or excreted.

How does bioaccumulation occur?

●Exposure: Chemicals enter an organism through air, water, soil, or food.

●Storage: These chemicals are stored in the organism's tissues and organs in fatty tissues.

What are the effects of bioaccumulation?

●Biomagnification: Chemicals can increase in concentration as they move up the food chain. It also starts impacting higher level predators.

●Chronic poisoning: Over time, chemical accumulation can reach harmful levels. Then it leads to toxicity and adverse effects on health.

Examples of bioaccumulation

●Toxic chemicals like PCBs, DDT, dioxins, & mercury can accumulate in fish & marine organisms.

●Vitamin A can build up in the livers of carnivores (polar bears) which leads to toxicity. This condition is called hypervitaminosis A.

Related terms

●Bioconcentration: The process where chemicals accumulate from water into an organism.

●Bioaccumulative: it refers to chemicals that persist in the environment & organisms. It makes them prone to bioaccumulation.

What is Black Plastic?

Black plastic is made from recycled materials, especially from old electronic waste such as computers, TVs, and household appliances.
These recycled electronics contain chemicals that are harmful, For Example:
- - Flame Retardants (such as bromine & antimony), which are used to prevent fires.
  - Heavy Metals like lead, cadmium, & mercury, which are toxic at high levels.
While these chemicals are helpful in electronics. But they can be harmful if they are found in everyday items like kitchen tools or food containers, where they could get into food or be absorbed by the skin.

India has implemented a range of regulations to address plastic pollution and its associated health issues.

Single-Use Plastic Ban:
- - India has implemented a ban on identified single-use plastic items.
  - This ban aims to reduce the volume of plastic waste entering the environment.
Plastic Waste Management Rules:
- - The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 & subsequent amendments provide a framework for managing plastic waste.
  - These rules focus on the importance of segregation, collection, recycling, & disposal of plastic waste.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR):
- - EPR mandates that producers, importers, & brand owners are responsible for the collection & management of plastic waste generated by their products.
  - This shifts the responsibility of waste management from local authorities to the producers.

These rules reflect India's commitment towards tackling plastic pollution and promoting sustainable waste management practices.

Source:

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements:

In bioaccumulation there is an increase in concentration of a pollutant from the environment to the first organism in a food chain.
In biomagnification there is an increase in concentration of a pollutant from one link in a food chain to another.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

●Statement 1 is correct: Bioaccumulation describes the buildup of a pollutant within a single organism over time, as it absorbs the substance faster than it can eliminate it from its body. This typically occurs from the environment (water, soil, air) directly into the organism.

●Statement 2 is correct: Biomagnification refers to the increasing concentration of a pollutant as it moves up through the trophic levels of a food chain. Organisms at higher levels consume organisms with accumulated pollutants leading to a greater concentration in their own tissues.