I understand that plastics are bad for the environment but why are they so much worse then any other rocks and sand that are always present. If plastics can’t biodegrade why can’t they be considered as a somthing like sand after a certain point.
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plastics are hydrocarbons, which some of your flesh can interact with. Interference and damage of systems, clogging, defects.
plastics are hydrocarbons, which some of your flesh can interact with. Interference and damage of systems, clogging, defects.
The physical shapes that plastics can take in themselves pose a significant hazard that concrete does not have.
Nylon rope, plastic sheeting/straps, 6-pack loops, etc… all have the potential to trap animals with lethal consequences highly probable. As an example, here is a [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/@OceanConservationNamibia/videos) channel dedicated to rescuing Seals from being caught up in all manner of things like straps, fishing line, netting, etc… 98% of which is plastic and the damage it visibly does (cuts through the skin and blubber all the way to the bone) is horrific.
The physical shapes that plastics can take in themselves pose a significant hazard that concrete does not have.
Nylon rope, plastic sheeting/straps, 6-pack loops, etc… all have the potential to trap animals with lethal consequences highly probable. As an example, here is a [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/@OceanConservationNamibia/videos) channel dedicated to rescuing Seals from being caught up in all manner of things like straps, fishing line, netting, etc… 98% of which is plastic and the damage it visibly does (cuts through the skin and blubber all the way to the bone) is horrific.
An addition: plastics don’t just drop to the bottom of the ocean or water. Plastic, either whole or in particles, tend to float around, and is easily stirred up by currents under water. This adds to the interactions with living things.
When talking about really small particle size, it’s not completely clear that plastic is worse. What is clear is that we’ve been living around, eating, and breathing in small particles of rock since long before we were human. The concern is more about how contaminated our entire ecosystem is with plastic and the potential problems with that.
When it comes to larger pieces of plastic pollution, particularly in the ocean, the issue is more of the shape than the material. Floating pieces of net and plastic bags are worse than rocks sitting on the bottom. (Concrete has its own issues as other commenters have said.)
An addition: plastics don’t just drop to the bottom of the ocean or water. Plastic, either whole or in particles, tend to float around, and is easily stirred up by currents under water. This adds to the interactions with living things.
An addition: plastics don’t just drop to the bottom of the ocean or water. Plastic, either whole or in particles, tend to float around, and is easily stirred up by currents under water. This adds to the interactions with living things.
Haven‘t heard of dangerous cancer causing micro-rocks or micro-concrete ending up in our food or water yet.
When talking about really small particle size, it’s not completely clear that plastic is worse. What is clear is that we’ve been living around, eating, and breathing in small particles of rock since long before we were human. The concern is more about how contaminated our entire ecosystem is with plastic and the potential problems with that.
When it comes to larger pieces of plastic pollution, particularly in the ocean, the issue is more of the shape than the material. Floating pieces of net and plastic bags are worse than rocks sitting on the bottom. (Concrete has its own issues as other commenters have said.)
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