WE are aware of the negative effects of plastics to the environment, but what happens when plastics undergo degradation? What are microplastics and nanoplastics? Are they bad for human health?
The Wisdom Shine Educare centre is working together with Chung Hwa High School to hold a ‘UN-Plastic Campaign’ at Occupy Beach Street on May 26.
They were planning to educate the public on the negative impact of plastics.
Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi lauded the effort.
“We want to reduce the usage of plastics to secure a sustainable future. The Penang government initiated the ‘No plastic bag’ campaign in 2009 to reduce the usage of plastic bags,” he told a press conference today.
Gooi is one of the sponsors of the campaign.
Universiti Sains Malaysia Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies director Prof Datuk Dr Aileen Tan Shau-Hwai said many people were not aware of the dangers of microplastics and nanoplastics.
“Those are tiny plastic particles that can enter our bloodstream. When they enter the food web, they get absorbed into our cells and blood vessels. They are harmful to human health.
“The public can learn more about this during the campaign. We will be there to educate the public.
Dr Tan said the public would also be able to see the plastic components with the microscopes at the event.
The Penang Green Council, Trash Hero, Buddhist Tzu Chi Merits Society Malaysia, and Owl-Penang Zero Waste Bulk Store will also be joining the event to share their knowledge.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan