Letter to the editor: Our addiction to plastic is dangerous

I am grateful that the Tribune-Review has thoroughly covered last month’s train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. From the plight of those most affected, to resources for concerned regional residents, your coverage is appreciated. One angle that demands more attention, however, is the connection between this disaster and our culture’s addiction to plastic.

Single-use plastics often contain PVC made from vinyl chloride, the chemical infamously burned off from Norfolk Southern’s ill-fated train. Putting aside the astounding risks of transporting these chemicals, plastics manufacturing is on course to emit 56 gigatons of carbon by midcentury. What’s more, plastic does not biodegrade. Instead, it breaks into ever-smaller “microplastics” that have been found in 100% of more than 100 Pennsylvania waterways sampled by PennEnvironment.

From the dangers of transporting its component chemicals, to spewing carbon via its manufacture, to polluting our communities as litter, to harming our health as microplastic particles, single-use plastics are a threat from cradle to grave. Pittsburgh’s upcoming bag ban is a critical step that will beautify our neighborhoods, protect our health and limit the likelihood of derailment catastrophes. Nearby municipal leaders should follow suit.

Dan Brown

Bloomfield

The writer is Western Pennsylvania field organizer for PennEnvironment.