T.JOHN COLLEGE OF NURSING
GOTTIGERE
BENNARGHATTA ROAD
BANGALORE-83
SYNOPSIS
REGISTRATION OF SUBJECTS FOR DISSERTATION
RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES,
KARNATAKA
PREPARED BY
ANITHA .K
1ST YEAR MSC NURSING
T. JOHN COLLEGE OF NURSING
GUIDED BY,
MRS MONIKA PAUL
HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT
COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING
T.JOHN COLLEGE OF NURSING
RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES, KARNATAKA, BANGALORE
ANNEXURE – II
PROFORMA FOR REGISTRATION OF SUBJECTS FOR DESSERTATION
1. / NAME OF THE CANDIDATE AND ADDRESS (IN BLOCK LETTERS) / ANITHA.KI YEAR M Sc NURSING
T JOHN COLLEGE OF NURSING
GOTTIGERE, BENNARGHATTA ROAD,
BANGALORE-83
2. / NAME OF THE INSTITUTION / T JOHN COLLEGE OF NURSING
GOTTIGERE ,BENNARGHATTA ROAD,
BANGALORE-83
3. / COURSE OF STUDY AND SUBJECT / M. Sc. NURSING
COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING
4. / DATE OF ADMISSION TO THE COURSE / 13-06-2011
5. / TITLE OF THE TOPIC: EFFECTIVENESS OF PLANNED TEACHING PROGRAM ON KNOWLEDGE REGARDING HAZARDS OF NON- BIODEGRADABLE PLASTICS AMONG WOMEN IN SELECTED URBAN AREA, BANGALORE.
6
7 / BRIEF RESUME OF THE INTENDED WORK
6. Introduction:
“I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them but to inform their discretion.1” -Thomas Jefferson
The community has been described as one of the most fruitful areas for improving the health of the people. It is a fact that social, physical and cultural aspects of the community have a major influence on an individual’s health status.2
The environmental problems in India are growing rapidly. Plastic bags, plastic thin sheets and plastic waste are a major source of pollution. In our day to day life plastic become inevitable. But most of them are not aware about the hazards of plastics.
The word plastic is derived from the Greek word, plastikos meaning capable of being shaped or molded and from plastos meaning molded. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular mass and may contain other substances to improve performance and reduce production costs. Monomers of plastic are either natural or synthetic organic compounds.3
Plastics are generally classified into two based on the nature. They are biodegradable and non-biodegradable. Biodegradable plastics are plastics that will decompose in natural aerobic or composting and anaerobic or landfill environments. Biodegradation of plastics can be achieved by enabling less microorganisms in the environment to metabolize the molecular structure of plastic films to produce an inert humus-like material that is harmful to the environment.3 Non-biodegradable plastics are any plastics that either do not break down at all or plastics that require mechanical or chemical breakdown4.The decomposition of these types of plastics takes 1000 of years.5
The plastics are highly toxic and pose serious threat to living being of all species on earth5.Some of the constituents of plastic cause leukemia and other cancers. Plastic grinding generates polymer dust results in interstitial pneumonia, bronchitis, eye irritation and accumulates in fatty tissues resulting in carcinogenic effects6. Many animals ingest plastic bags mistaking them for food and therefor die. The ingested plastic remains intact even after the death and decomposition of the animal. Thus, it lies around in the landscape where another victim may ingest it5.
The hazards of plastics are numerous. The land get littered by plastic bag, garbage, presenting an ugly and unhygienic seen. The “THROW AWAY CULTURE” results blockage in drainage system, health hazards, spreading of water borne disease. This littering also reduces rate of rain water percolating. The soil fertility deteriorates as the plastic form part of a manure remain in the soil for years.7
6.1 Need for the study:
“Which one do you prefer - earth in pieces or peace in earth?” 8
The explosion of technology, though makes our lives smooth and comfortable, also bring with it certain disaster. The disaster is made by the users of the technology-the human beings. It is our behavior which affects the environment. It may be global warming, depletion of natural resources, seasonal uncertainties or serious health problems, we are responsible in some or the other way to make it happen.9
Plastics have become a critical material in the modern economy; the annual volume of plastics produced exceeds that volume of steel. The world's annual consumption of plastic materials has increased from around 5 million tons in the 1950s to nearly 100 million tones today. The magnitude of society's burden of plastic waste is only beginning to be fully appreciated.10 In the US; the average person produces a half-pound of plastic waste every day. Around the world, some 300 million tons of the material are produced each year a figure poised to expand, as new forms of plastics are devised to serve a voracious global appetite. As Halden points out, this annual production alone would fill a series of train cars encircling the globe. "We're doomed to live with yesterday's plastic pollution and we are exacerbating the situation with each day of unchanged behavior."13
Plastic waste is a major environmental and public health problem in India, particularly in the urban areas. India is the fourth highest Asian importer of plastic waste behind Honk Kong, Philippines, and Indonesia.11 20% of solid municipal wastes in India is plastic12. Average Indian uses one kilogram of plastics per year, the world annual average is an alarming 18 kg. But too many do it as our cities have huge population. The country yet to take a serious view of the issue and have a uniform nation-wide law for indiscreet disposals of plastics. People should be educated on the proper ways of plastic usage and the disposal 7.
Urbanization has added to the plastic pollution in concentrated form in cities. Plastic thrown on land can enter into drainage lines and chokes them resulting into floods in local areas in cities as experienced in Mumbai, India in 1998. It was claimed in one of the program on TV Channel that eating plastic bags results in death of 100 cattle per day in U.P in India. In stomach of one dead cow, as much as 35 kg of plastic was found. Because plastic does not decompose, and requires high energy ultra-violet light to break down, the amount of plastic waste in our oceans is steadily increasing. More than 90% of the articles found on the sea beaches contained plastic. The plastic rubbish found on beaches near urban areas tends to originate from use on land, such as packaging material used to wrap around other goods12.
People are exposed to chemicals from plastic multiple times per day through the air, dust, water, food and use of consumer products. Phthalates are used as plasticizers in the manufacture of vinyl flooring and wall coverings, food packaging and medical devices. Eight out of every ten babies, and nearly all women, have measurable levels of phthalates in their bodies. In addition, bisphenol A (BPA), found in polycarbonate bottles and the linings of food and beverage cans, can leach into food and drinks. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 93 % of people had detectable levels of BPA in their urine. Also, people with the highest exposure to BPA have an increased rate of heart disease and diabetes.14
An article reported that micro waving foods in plastic containers releases cancer causing agents in to the foods .Di-ethyl hexyl-adepate was migrating in to the oil at between 200 parts and 500 parts per million. The food and drug association is 0.05 parts per billion.15
A study was conducted on Phthalates and other additives in plastics. Study had taken 242 mothers and examined during and after pregnancy. Result shows Phthalates metabolite concentration in urine significantly correlated between pre and post-test sample.16
A study to find mortality patterns among workers exposed to styrene in the reinforced plastic boat building industry revealed overall, 860deaths (standardized mortality ration 1-09, confidence interval 1.02-1.17). The excess mortality was accounted for esophageal cancer (n=12, SMR=2.30, cl=1.19-4.02) and prostate cancer (n=24, SMR=1.71, cl=1.092.54). Accidents (n=6, SMR=3.44, cl=1.31-4.44) rates were elevated and urinary tract cancer SMR increased with duration of employment.17
This plastic can affect marine wildlife in two important ways: by entangling creatures, and by being eaten. Aquatic animals mistake floating transparent plastic bags for jellyfish and eat them. A recent US report concluded that more than 100000 marine mammals die each year in the world’s oceans by eating or becoming entangled in plastic rubbish, and the position is worsening worldwide, 75 marine bird species are known to eat plastic articles.12
One of the most ubiquitous and long-lasting recent changes to the surface of our planet is the accumulation and fragmentation of plastics,” wrote David Barnes, a leading author and researcher for the British Antarctic Survey. Floating plastic waste, which can survive for thousands of years in water, serves as mini transportation devices for invasive species, disrupting habitats. Plastic buried deep in landfills can leach harmful chemicals that spread into groundwater.14
Strange as it may seem, the family roles have not changed much in today's society. While girls and women have more opportunities in home based employment, the traditional roles of women are still quite evident, and the feminine presence of the household. Women play an important role in community affairs particularly in contributing to the achievement of security, development and progress.16
As per the above studies and observation, investigator feels that there is a need to assess the knowledge of women and create awareness about the damage non-biodegradable plastics do to living being and environment. Keeping in mind the potential hazards of non-biodegradable plastics, it is important for them to know what way they can help to make sure that less non-biodegradable material is left on the planet, become eco- friendly consumer, for what people do today affects everyone tomorrow.
“Realize the importance of using less plastic. Make it a habit and a rule”.
“One person can save at least 15 plastics in a week”. 13
6.2 Review of literature:
Review of literature refers to an extensive, exhaustive and systematic examination of publications relevant to the project.18
A Literature review early in the reports provides readers with a background for current knowledge on a topic and illuminates the significance of the new study. 19
The literature can be reviewed under following headings.
1. Literature related to non- biodegradable plastics.
2. Literature related to hazards of non-biodegradable plastics on living beings.
3. Literature related to hazards of non-biodegradable plastics on environment.
4. Literature related to planned teaching program.
1. Literature related to non- biodegradable plastics:
A study was conducted in Guwahati city on Plastic and other non-biodegradable solid waste and its management for the sustainable urban poor development. The study was conducted in 12 different localities of Guwahati city covering more than 0.21 million population. The results show that only 10% of plastic is being collected for recycling whereas glass and metal is 50% and 70% respectively. It was also found that among the plastic waste generated from household, 60% is recyclable plastics and 40% is non-recyclable. Analysis of samples collected from drain reveals that the proportion of the NRP was found highly significant(p=0.0008<0.05)as compared to that if RP(p=0.29>0.05).20
A study was conducted in Tianjin, China to explore people’s attitudes regarding the substitution of plastic bags with bags made from alternative materials, and their willingness to pay for such substitutes. This study used a conjoint choice experiment to measure Tianjin residents’ preferences for degradable and non-degradable plastic materials bags. The results show that most people do not like non-degradable plastic bags and would use bags made of other materials if they were sold at a reasonable price.21
2. Literature related to non- biodegradable plastics on living beings:
A study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of respiratory protective equipment based on the biological monitoring of styrene a content of plastic .Five factories including 39 workers were investigated. Three types of respiratory protective equipment were tested. The 20ppm which is the occupational health. The result showed a significant disparity in the efficiency of the respirator p<0.05.The site concentration exceeded 20ppm at 10 of the 82 sampling points 12.2% and 22 of the 39 workers 56.4%,depending on the frequency of cartridge exchange(p<0.05).22
A study was conducted in Gondar city of Ethiopia to observe the impact of plastic bags usage on cattle health. During study period, out of 711 rumenotomies done, in 111 (15.61%) and 600 (84.39%) animals, emergency rumenotomy and elective rumenotomy was performed, respectively. Result shows that the quantity of the foreign bodies collected from the rumen was ranging from 0.75 to 2.0 kg in 28 animals (3.94%); 2.0 to 5.0 kg in 116 animals (16.32%); 5.0 to 9.0 kg in 217 animals (30.52%) and above 9.0 kg in 350 animals (49.23%). Awareness may be created on careless disposal of plastic bags and as well as the periodical cleaning of these wastes in the grazing area.23
A study was conducted in Finland on plastic wall material in the home and respiratory health in young children. The method used in the study is cross sectional involved 2568 children aged 1-7 years. The result shows that 95% of confidence interval, cough and phlegm were strongly related to the presence of plastic wall materials.24
3. Literature related to hazards of non-biodegradable plastics on environment:
A study was conducted in Thane, Creek on accumulation of major non bio degradable solid waste .In this study they selected four stations representing east and west banks of Thane. The result shows enormous quantity of solid waste accumulation in the mangroves of the creek. It is observed that 12 channels on the east bank and 10 on the west bank, coming from residential as well as industrial zones, are the major sources of pollution. These channels, especially the domestic sewage channels, often bring a lot of solid waste in the form of plastic bottles; carry bags, into the creek.25
A study was conducted in Jimma city of Ethiopia regarding plastic bag wastes pose serious environmental pollutions and health problems in humans and animals. In this study 230 samples had taken. The results indicated that the larger proportion (176, 76.52%) of the respondents used plastic bags more frequently than any other plastic products regardless of their age, occupation, and economic and educational status. Low price (159, 69.13%) and easy availability (152, 66.08%) were the main reasons for the widespread utilization of these products. Among the practices used for disposal of plastic bag wastes, open dumping to surrounding areas (137, 59.56%) was a practice widely used by almost all the residents of the city. Some of the major problems were animal death (167, 72.60%), blockage of sewage lines (162, 70.43%), deterioration of natural beauty of an environment (144, 62.60%) and human health problems (119, 51.73%). 26