In addition to the lack of biodegradability and long life, there are several health and environmental effects that can be connected to the disposal of plastics. First, the chemicals added to plastics can be absorbed by human bodies, and some of these compounds have been found to alter hormones and have other potential health effects. If ingested, these plastics can harm humans. This ingestion could occur from drinking water that has been contaminated by chemicals that have leeched out of plastics in landfills.
Common to all the industries on this list – and many others – is that they use a variety of plastics and polymers derived from petrochemicals. This breadth of practical uses across industries is making petrochemicals one of the largest drivers of global oil demand, according to a report from the International Energy Agency (IEA). A vast majority of petrochemicals are obtained from fossil fuels, such as natural gas and crude oil. The rest usually comes from coal and biomass. A major, if not the most important element of the industry is the petrochemical plant itself.
