2021-2022
Our department held a workshop on
"Plastic and its Effect on the Environment"
The first seminar was presented by Mr. Jalal Abdulla Haji entitled "Introduction to Plastics"
Plastic originally referred to a material that was flexible and easily formed. polymer + additives = plastic. The first synthetic polymer was invented in 1869 by John Wesly Hyatt. Polymer is a substance composed of a large number of repeating units that are linked to each other to form larger molecules.
The second seminar was presented by Mr. Azad Hama Ali Mohammed entitled " Toxic Chemicals in Plastics"
Historically, many additives and catalysts used in plastics were based on compounds of toxic metals (and metalloids), like arsenic, cadmium, chromium(VI), and lead. Despite subsequent restrictions, hazardous additives remain in plastics in societal circulation because of the pervasiveness of many products and the more general contamination of recycled goods. However, little is understood about their presence and impacts in the environment, with most studies focusing on the role of plastics in acquiring metals from their surroundings through, for example, adsorption. Accordingly, in this seminar provides a review of the uses of hazardous, metal-based additives in plastics, the relevant European regulations that have been introduced to restrict or prohibit usage in various sectors, and the likely environmental impacts of hazardous additives once plastics are lost in nature.
The third seminar was presented by Mr. Adulmulatib Rafat Sarhat entitled "Effect of Plastics on Environment"
The third part of the workshop included a seminar on the impact of plastic on the environment. The major effect of plastic on the environment is that some of them take years to decompose. However, some other types of plastic never decompose. Also, heavy metals and some toxic substances are released into the soil, water, and air, which leads to environmental pollution.
The workshop began at 10:00 a.m. on February 17, 2022, and lasted around two hours. Plastics and their constituents were discussed by the speakers. They also discussed additives that are added to polymers to increase their processability and flexibility for various applications. They also discussed the harmful chemicals used in plastics, including organic substances like bisphenol A, phthalates, and toxic metals like Sb, Cd, Pb, and As. Finally, one of the speakers discussed the impact of plastics on the environment, as well as the best proposals and recommendations for reducing their impact on human health and the ecosystem.
