Phthalates

PHTHALATES

1. What are phthalates?

-They are additives used in plastic products that increase flexibility,durability and transferency.

2.Where can we find them?

-We find them in common flexible plastic products.

3.Are they dangerous? Why?

-They are very dangerous because, although they are part of a plastic, they can easily escape and get our bodies. We can find them in products that are very close to our lifes: babies toys, cosmetics, food containers,...

4.What are the two young scientists trying to do?

-They are trying to give a solution to the accumulation of plastics. There is too much plastic waste and it will take hundreds of years until it is degraded. Their idea is to break plastics down with bacteria instead of waiting so many years.

5.Give your opinion about their work and their achievements.

-I love people that are so enthusiastic and don´t mind to experiment and take risks. There is a big and important problem all over the world with waste and plastic in particular. The idea that bacterias can break down plastic is very interesting and if it works it can be a solution for all of us.

6.What is an accident? Is always a bad thing? Give some examples of positive results from accidents.

-We usually consider an accident as a harmful, unfortunate and even dangerous situation. But they are not always like that.

-There are many examples where accidents have given the opportunity to know and discover something new.

1. Alexander Fleming discovered the penicillin by accident,and we know a lot about bacterias thanks to him.

2. Percy Spencer, an engineer, was known as an electronics genius.In

1945,Spencer was fiddling with microwave-emitting magnetron when

he felt a strange sensation in his pants.So because of this he figured it

out and i invented a microwave-oven.

3. A Swiss engineer,George de Mestral,was out for a hunting trip with his dog.

He noticed the annoying tendency of burrs to stick to its fur.Later,looking under a microscope,Mestral observed the tiny "hooks" that stuck burrs to fabrics and furs.Mestral experimented for years and inventedVelcro.