Childhood plastic exposure
Recently, one West African country took the bull by the horns to address the dangers that plastics pose to the environment, and flora and fauna for that matter.
It is this kind of commitment to environmental sustainability that Ghana must also embrace to rid itself of the plastic pollution that has become a canker.
This year, the theme for World Environment Day, which is marked on June 5 annually, will focus on ending plastic pollution globally. This matter is of serious concern because plastics contain hazardous chemicals that can leak into food and water.
These chemicals are present in some toys and personal care products, such as cosmetics, nail polish, hair spray, shampoos and perfumes.
In urban and industrial areas, these compounds are present in the air.
Healthy children
These impact the health and development of children significantly.
An important risk is the risk of diabetes, hypertension, cancer and other chronic diseases that are already on the rise, and demand urgent action.
These dangerous chemicals have also been fingered as major causes of hormonal disruptions in the human body, largely affecting fertility and causing developmental disorders.
Prenatal encounters and exposure in early life have been linked to respiratory issues among children.
In various studies conducted by researchers all over the world, it was detected that >70% of most populations have high levels of microplastics in the bloodstream.
For us in Ghana, this is an issue we must not treat lightly because whether by fate or by coincidence, June is also the month in which we receive the highest rainfall.
Our nation has suffered perennial flooding for nearly 60 years, with little hope of an end in sight.
Chief among all the filth that clogs our gutters resulting in these floods are plastics, such as polythene bags, sachet water bags and plastic bottles of all sizes.
Year in and year out, many lives have been lost because of poor collection and disposal of plastic waste.
We are actually faced with the death sentence from plastics because we are heavy users of this synthetic product.
Plastics are commonly used for packaging food and drinks in most places across the country.
That makes this year’s theme for World Environment Day: “Beat Plastic Pollution” not only relevant but timely.
This issue must be on the front burner of any nation on a reset agenda.
Policy
For the sake of our future leaders and the precious adults who care for them, policy leaders must seriously consider the full life-cycle approach that many countries like South Korea are beginning to embrace to stamp out this menace.
This includes Reducing (limiting plastic production and use), Redesigning (creating reusable, recyclable and biodegradable products and packaging), Reusing (encouraging the use of reusable products), Recycle (adopting technologies to deal with plastic waste), Recovering (ensuring proper plastic waste collection and disposal), Economic models that reduce waste and the redesigning of products and systems that are restorative.
While we count on policymakers and other stakeholders to tackle this matter with the alacrity it deserves, parents and caregivers should be intentional about reducing the exposure of children to this poisonous stuff.
As much as possible, stainless steel, silicon, ceramic or glass containers for food and drinks should be preferable.
Bamboo, plantain leaves and cardboard are better options because they are relatively less harmful and more environmentally friendly.
Avoid microwaving foods and liquids in plastic containers.
Check product labels for specifically “BPA-free” or phthalate-free” tags before buying them.
Natural personal care products are also recommended to reduce the exposure.
Let’s tell a friend to tell a friend who will tell another friend.
Efforts to raise awareness must continue unabated till all stakeholders take pragmatic steps to confront the matter.
The writer is a Child Development Expert/ Fellow at Zero-to-three Academy, USA.
E-mail: nanaesi_19@yahoo.co.uk
