Reacción a "Scientists develop a plastic that degrades in the ocean without polluting"

The study published in Science represents a breakthrough in the development of more sustainable plastic materials. Researchers have succeeded in creating a new type of plastic that is just as durable as conventional plastics but capable of breaking down in seawater. Considering that one of the key criteria for plastics suitable for a sustainable future is their ease of biological degradation—particularly when they unintentionally end up in marine environments—this study marks a significant step forward. Furthermore, the developed material would also prevent pollution caused by microplastics, which have already invaded all our seas and oceans.

However, it is important to remember that another critical criterion for new materials to be considered sustainable is that they must not be toxic to humans or the environment. Plastics are often associated with a wide range of chemical additives used to provide specific properties. Scientific evidence suggests that many of these chemicals are toxic to human health and the environment. Some new materials developed in recent years are more fragile than conventional plastics, requiring larger amounts of chemical additives, which increases their potential toxicity. Unfortunately, this is an often-overlooked but vital aspect.

Additionally, the extent to which these chemical compounds are released once the material decomposes in seawater should also be evaluated. The dispersion of these toxins in marine environments would not constitute a sustainable solution either.