Pakistan scientists have discovered a fungus that can solve the growing plastic problem. Namely, it can eat plastic and cut its lifespan from up to thousand years to just a few weeks.

Nearly 8 million pieces of plastic end up into the oceans on a daily basis. This, in turn, creates a serious environmental crisis with around 5.25 trillion micro and macro plastic pieces in the oceans.

It takes from a decade to thousand years for plastic to degrade and therefore this problem should be addressed before it gets too late. The fungus is known as Cue Aspergillus and as the research has shown, it breaks down the chemical bonds in plastic. The study has also shown that this fungus has the ability to feed on toxic chemicals, oil, and radioactive waste.

The experiments have shown that it took only 2 months for the fungi to biodegrade polyester polyurethane into small pieces.

This discovery is of utmost importance because plastic is extremely harmful both for the environment and human health.

The exposure to it increases the risk of cancer, birth defects, endocrine disruption, infertility, skin diseases, weak immunity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.

It also threatens wildlife. In the oceans, plastic waste outweighs zooplankton in ration 36:1.

Moreover, when we throw plastic on land it reduces the fertility of the soil. If animals eat it, they will get sick because the bacteria in their digestive tracts cannot break the plastic up.

Therefore, here are some recommendations about replacing plastic products with healthier alternatives whenever possible:

  • Avoid heating your food in plastic containers
  • Avoid using Styrene products and PVC
  • Purchase food in metal or glass containers
  • Do not buy your children plastic toys
  • Use only natural furniture, bedding, and clothing
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