Plastic consumption leads to liver, lung diseases: Dr. Shailendra Saini

With the plastic pollution becoming one of the most pressing environmental concerns, ETV Bharat spoke to heart and asthma specialist Dr. Shailendra Saini, who highlighted the ill-effects of plastic.

Hyderabad:Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental concerns. The rapid increase in production and use of disposable plastic, particularly single-use plastic, is adding to the world woes.

The burgeoning burden of plastic waste is particularly causing problem in developing countries such as India, where garbage collection and recycling systems are often inefficient or nonexistent, consequently leading to careless disposal of plastic.

India generates close to 26,000 tonnes of plastic a day, according to a Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) estimate from 2012. Worse, a little over 10,000 tonnes a day of plastic waste remains uncollected.

To know more about the issue, ETV Bharat spoke to heart and asthma specialist Dr Shailendra Saini, who highlighted the ill-effects of plastic.

"People often throw their leftovers in these single-use plastic bags on the roadside, and animals who are in search of food end up eating the leftovers along with the plastic bag. Since plastic cannot be digested it leads to several diseases among animals too, sometimes leading to their death. This is the biggest side-effect of single-use plastic," pointed out Dr Saini.

Dr Saini, who has been studying the plastic phenomenon, apart from working with patients suffering from respiratory diseases, has also compiled data highlighting the growing use of plastic.

Saini said, "I have compiled data which shows that people purchase 10,00,000 plastic bottles every year. As many 40 lakh crore people purchase plastic bags every day, apart from this, 5,00,000 lakh plastic straws are purchased every day, and around 50,00,000 people purchase plastic glasses/cups,"

"When all these plastic items are disposed of carelessly, they clog drains, and if they make their way to water bodies they end up releasing harmful chemicals into the water, and when the same water is consumed by humans it causes several diseases, including cancer. As many as 11 lakh aquatic animals are on the verge of extinction.

This is how harmful plastic can be. As per a study done in England, a person consumes as many as 70,000 microns of plastic, " added Saini.

Dr Saini also elaborated on the diseases caused by the consumption of plastic and inhalation of fumes coming out of burnt plastic.

"Plastic consumption causes brain stroke, and since it releases poisonous chemicals in the body, it may lead to asthma. The gases released when plastic is burned also leads to Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), therefore lowering the capacity of lungs to inhale oxygen, " said Saini.

He further added, "other than that it leads to liver and lung diseases. It also causes a burning sensation in the eyes. When these chemicals enter the bloodstream they not only cause High Blood Pressure but also inflates the blood vessels, which can further lead to a heart attack."

The doctor further appealed to replace plastic items with other alternatives.