It is right step in the right direct to put a blanket ban on Plastic bags in Malls. Air pollution causes innumerable health hazards. Several studies have documented the relationship between contaminated air and health problems. Sudden respiratory distress, difficulty in breathing, respiratory cancer, lung cancer, asthma, increase bronchitis, coughs, eye irritations and general malaise have all been found to be associated with polluted air. Apart from the health costs, air pollution corrodes buildings and industrial materials. Steel deteriorates two or four times faster in polluted environment, as well as silver, leather and paper. Shrubs, trees, grass, vegetables, parks and fruit trees are also harmed. Of late, the plastic menace had taken the country by storm. So, plastic-free zones were created. But the response is not so encouraging and the public turned to plastic bags despite caution from the state and Central Governments. By banning plastic bags we are trying our best to combat the plastic menace.
Abhishek Ramaswamy
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
