Задание №22468 ЕГЭ по Английскому языку

The risks of microplastics

New research has highlighted the urgent need to eliminate plastic from our lives. Recently, it was revealed that microplastics have been discovered in human blood.

This finding was part of a study co-authored by Professor Vethak, who investigated whether these particles remain in the body or travel to specific organs. Unfortunately, scientific research has yet to provide clear answers regarding the impact of these intrusive materials on our bodies and our society.

We have unwittingly learned to shake hands with this devilish commodity, handling plastic while grocery shopping and unknowingly ingesting it through our food. Infants are particularly vulnerable to its effects. From chewing on plastic teething rings to playing with plastic toys in the bath, children are exposed to plastic and its additives. A study published in September 2021 raised concerns about this exposure.

It is essential to urge local governments to support legislation that restricts the use of single-use plastics, which often end up polluting our environment. This can be achieved by holding businesses and manufacturers accountable through taxes or by promoting the availability of environmentally friendly packaging.

One type of plastic commonly found in our bloodstream is polyethylene, used in shopping bags and food containers. Plastic bags are a major contributor to environmental pollution, often ending up as litter due to wind and careless disposal.

Plastic can be found in our solid and liquid waste. It can harm human cells and even be present in the placenta, the vital organ that sustains babies before birth. This raises concerns about potential cancer risks and the possibility of being born with these invasive plastics inside our bodies. It is truly alarming.

We have an opportunity to ban plastic bags. The potential risks to future generations, with plastics embedded in their diets and bodies, should outweigh any arguments for convenience.

It is not only the potential harm to our health caused by invasive plastics that is frightening but also the fact that our industrialized civilization's arrogance has led us to this point. Those who participate in societal norms are at risk of carrying this infamously persistent unnatural material within them.

Plastic is as harmful as lead, a substance that was widely used in the past but is now recognized as dangerous. Lead was commonly found in paint, gasoline, and toys. Through research, scientists discovered the psychological and physical toll of lead, leading to significant reductions in its use. Thankfully, paint companies no longer promote the benefits of lead paint to young people.

As animals and agricultural products are exposed to plastic, even in trace amounts, it becomes a permanent part of ecosystems that sustain us today. Plastic can enter our bodies through salt, water from plastic bottles, and pollution that filtration systems cannot completely eliminate. Unfortunately, finding a solution often comes with barriers and costs.

It is crucial that we take matters into our own hands and support the widespread ban on plastic bags. We must urge lawmakers to recognize that short-term conveniences should not outweigh the long-term detriments that we have not even fully understood. One thing is certain: our manufactured material will prove to be malicious.