ASK A SCIENTIST
Do you ever wonder about various aspects of plastics and plastic pollution? Our science director, Trisha Vaidyanathan, Ph.D., is here to shed some light on these questions in her monthly column, “Ask a Scientist.”
Got a question? If you would like to ask a question for Trisha’s consideration, please submit it using this form. Please note that we cannot guarantee an answer to every question we receive.
Why are single-use tobacco and cannabis vaping devices an emerging plastic pollution issue?
Waste from disposable vapes has increased in recent years. In just the two years between 2021 and 2023, 35 million more vapes were thrown away in the U.S., resulting in an estimated 5.7 disposable vapes thrown away every second in 2023. However, disposable vapes are a uniquely concerning type of plastic pollution—vapes are a triple threat that combines three waste problems in one: single-use plastic, hazardous chemicals, and electronic waste.
Can plastics impact my dog’s health?
Plastic can harm our own health, but what about our dogs? Just like us, our dogs are exposed to plastic throughout their lives, from their food and toys, to furniture and outdoor pollution. Unfortunately, just like us, plastics — particularly the chemicals within them and the microplastics they create — can pose a threat to our dog’s health.
Are microplastics helping to create drug-resistant superbugs?
Scientists are increasingly alarmed by the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, or “superbugs,” which could make even minor infections much harder to treat. Plastic may seem unrelated, but recent discoveries are finding a surprising link.
Does plastic pollution make climate change worse?
Plastic pollution is often treated as a waste problem, separate from climate change. In reality, the two crises are deeply interconnected. Plastic pollution contributes to climate change, and climate change, in turn, makes plastic pollution harder to control.