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The plastic industry produces planet-warming emissions at every step of the life cycle of its main product and at volumes that could become bigger than those produced by coal-fired power plants by the end of the current decade.

Data from the report, “The New Coal: Plastics & Climate Change,” from the environmental advocacy group Beyond Plastics, revealed plastic brings about greenhouse emissions that threaten climate goals and hurt socio-economically disadvantaged communities.

The report also reveals that plastic manufacturing produces gas emissions of at least 114 million tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent in the US, equal to those produced by 57 500-megawatt coal-fired power plants.

Also, the petrochemical industry’s plastics manufacturing infrastructure is expected to continue expanding.

Read the report here

[Image Credit: © Beyond Plastics]

Researchers using Raman microspectroscopy have detected microplastics in human placentas for the first time. Results of the study revealed that 12 microplastic fragments were discovered in all placental portions: maternal, fetal, and amniochorial membranes. Microplastics contain substances, which can act as endocrine disruptors and cause long-term impact on human health.

[Image Credit: © Skitterphoto]