Question

One of the interesting aspects of chemistry that affects us on a daily basis is the area of polymer chemistry. What are some of the products we use on a daily basis that is derived from this? Please explain in at least 150 words.

Answer 1

Synthetic polymers can come in a variety of forms, such as common plastics, the nylon of a jacket, or the surface of a non-stick frying pan, but these human-made materials have a detrimental impact on ecosystems which U.S. National Institute of Health researchers have called "a rapidly increasing, long-term threat." Understanding the ways that synthetic polymers degrade ecosystems is important in taking steps to eliminate this form of pollution

One of the most common environmental problems associated with synthetic polymers pollution is that 44 percent of seabird species are known to have ingested synthetic polymers that have been mistaken for food, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health -- with millions dying from this ingestion every year. This broad reaching death of shore birds presents a significant environmental problem because shorebirds play a vital ecological role in maintaining the population sizes of fish and crustaceans.

Even beyond their persistence in oceans and water pollution from their production, synthetic polymers are a significant challenge on land because they are often disposed of in landfills where they will remain for centuries into the future slowly leaking toxins into soil as time passes. According to the Clean Air Council organization, Americans alone use an estimated 102.1 billion plastic bags -- a synthetic polymer -- each year, and less than 1 percent of these bags are recycled. Not only do these synthetic polymers slowly leach harmful chemicals in the soil, their longevity and non-biodegradability means new landfills will be a constant need as synthetic polymer use continues and grows.