FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM MAY 13, 2021 • THE QUEENS COURIER 23
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Gen Z: Why the plastic industry is killing our generation
BY VICTORIA LU
Th roughout the entirety of my life, plastic
has been integral. It is littered amongst
my neighborhood, chokes the rivers in
the parks, and is wasted in tons on supermarket
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aisles. But there seems to be no
relief from the burden of plastic.
Human consumption spans anywhere
from 39,000 to 52,000 micro-plastic particles
a year, and with added estimates
of how much micro-plastic might be
inhaled, that number is more than 74,000.
Th e inhalation of micro-plastics is
proving to be the silent killer of our generation.
Research confi rms that microplastics
entering the human body account
for a multitude of diseases and disruptions
to the bodily systems such as cancer,
auto-immune conditions, and neurodegenerative
diseases, to cite a few.
Despite the persistent health crisis, the
Global Plastic Industry is booming, with
a projected growth from the current value
of $344 billion to $412 billion in 2024.
Th ere is a complete disregard for social
and corporate accountability, and thus
persistent eff orts must be executed in
resolving the extremity of the plastic crisis
for the sake of our generation’s survival.
Companies force the use of plastic
plates, cups, utensils and unwrapped
packaging, consequently leading to excess
plastic waste. Because of this everyday
plastic use, we hardly stop and refl ect on
our waste.
A toss of a simple plastic straw will
take a century to decompose, and thus
a neglected straw is representative of the
idea of plastic.
Th e plastic bottle we quench our thirst
from releases toxins such as BHA from
heated plastic.
Th e packaging on a box of sliced fruit
carries a risk of an inhalation of microplastic
particles and hundreds of toxic
substances.
Th e nourishing food we consume for
energy is littered with plastic contaminates.
Th e accumulation within our soil, air
and aquatic food chains lends increased
opportunities in plastic waste exposure.
Th e air we breathe is arid with microplastics
and the eff ects of poor plastic
waste management.
Th e carcinogenic exposure ensues the
impairment of the nervous system, endocrine
system, reproductive and developmental
issues and cancer.
Micro-plastics that enter the human
body through direct ingestion or inhalation
may cause infl ammation, toxicity,
oxidative stress, apoptosis and necrosis,
among other health eff ects.
As a member of our plastic-crazed society,
I have unknowingly consumed roughly
5 grams of plastic each week in the
course of daily life, or about the weight
of a credit card, according to Australian
researchers. Roughly a half pound of plastic
per year. We are evidently amongst a
public health crisis, and at 16, I am at a
high risk of plastic induced illness.
Th e fossil fuel industry is directly
responsible for 99 percent of plastic produced
and over 170 chemicals are used in
the process. In order to decrease plastic
waste, the fossil fuel industry needs to be
heavily reformed with an increase in the
transparency of plastic production and
chemicals from major corporations and
companies.
Moreover, research is imperative to
evaluate the eff ect of thousands of toxins,
micro-plastics and fi bers within consumer
goods. Legal framework should also
be adopted in order to ensure that frontline
communities are protected and to
increase reform and research.
When it comes down to it, holding the
industry and legislators accountable is the
only path toward change, and as youth,
we need to educate and involve ourselves
in eff orts to revolutionize the industry.
Lastly, social media is a useful tool and
by reposting, liking and sharing information,
you are educating hundreds and
potentially thousands of people on the
eff ects of the plastic crisis and who consumers
must be holding accountable.
If there continues to be an abhorrent
neglect, it will leave little hope for the
health of our generation.
Victoria Lu is a junior at Forest Hills
High School.
STRUCTURAL
PROBLEMS AT THE
BAYSIDE LIRR STATION
MUST BE ADDRESSED
Th ere are ongoing problems at
the Bayside Long Island Rail Road
station that impact several thousand
daily riders.
I give the LIRR full credit for
the installation of new concrete
ties and ballast. Th is will ensure a
safer and more comfortable ride.
Th ey have also recently completed
repairs to sections of the westbound
platform edge.
But there is still other signifi -
cant outstanding maintenance and
repair work to be done.
Th e original wooden support
beams for various sections of the
canopy have deteriorated. Pigeons
have moved into the rotting bottom
section of the westbound canopy
stairs roof, and their droppings
can be seen at the bottom of
the westbound stairs and the second
set of stairs for the eastbound
platform.
Th e metal structure supporting
the overpass connecting the eastbound
and westbound platforms
has begun accumulating rust.
Th ere is also a hole in one of the
eastbound steel staircases. Other
portions of the canopy roof are also
in need of repair.
Why has the LIRR waited so long
to allow these issues to grow even
worse? When will the necessary
repairs to these structural defi ciencies
be dealt with and completed?
Larry Penner, Great Neck
COLUMBUS
CONUNDRUM
As reported, the New York City
Department of Education has
eliminated Columbus Day in their
list of school holidays. Instead,
Columbus Day on Oct. 11 will be
known as, “Italian Heritage Day/
Indigenous People’s Day.” I fi nd
this act by the DOE to be most
troubling.
I am Grand Knight of St.
Anastasia Knights of Columbus
Council #5911 in Douglaston, and
support the fact that Christopher
Columbus — with his faults like
the rest of humanity — opened up
a new world with unlimited possibilities,
which includes freedom
for all. Th at includes freedom of
religion for the many. Th at is one
of many reasons my organization
took his name.
For the NYC DOE to eliminate
the name of Christopher Columbus
is an insult to the memory of a
man who opened up a new world
with exploration and who expanded
Christianity.
As for myself, I’m an Italian
American and of Irish descent
and, in my opinion, I believe
Christopher Columbus must be
remembered for the good things
he did accomplish and not for the
negative.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr., Bellerose
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