(44-45)
       The news of a dead whale with 48 pounds of plastics in its stomach and a sea turtle with a 4-inch plastic straw in its nose really made people sad and think about the serious problem that plastics have caused. Scientists have warned that we are creating a “plastic planet”. By 2050, there will be more plastics in the ocean than fish.
      Plastic waste starts out as bottles, plastic bags, clothing… and so on. Plastics which break down into very small pieces (less than 5mm) over time called microplastics or nanoparticles. When plastics break down, they release chemicals, some of the chemicals have toxic effects in living cells.
       Microplastics have been found in our rivers, our highest mountains, our deepest oceans, in the air and even in our toothpaste and sea salt. Because their small sizes, different shapes and colors, microplastics are easily mistaken with food and eaten by animals. When we eat these kinds of fishes or meat, it may lead to some types of cancers. Plastic waste not only pollutes the ocean, our environment but also gets into the food chain to affect our health.
       To stop the growing problem, doing plastics recycling is one way. To stop the use of plastics is another.
       Taiwan has banned the “single use” products since 2002. For example, shopkeepers can’t give plastic bags to shoppers for free. And then, we don’t have plastic straws when we buy drinks since July 1, 2019. The government hopes we are free of plastic bags and all single-use plastic products, such as drink cups, plastic plates…by 2030.

  microplastics塑料微粒   nanoparticles奈米粒子   release 釋放出   toxic effects毒性效應   cells細胞   ban禁止   government 政府
【題組】44. When did Taiwan start to ban the single use plastic products?
(A)In 2050.
(B)In 2002.
(C)In 2019.
(D)In 2030.