Plastics are best thought of as a group of semi-synthetic or purely synthetic solids that are utilized in the creation of consumer, medical and industrial products. Mostly, plastics are polymers, which consist of large molecules that are composed of repeating chemical bonds. Plastics can contain additional substances like colorants and even glass; that work to improve their performance or lower the costs of production. There are two general types of plastics: thermosetting polymersand thermoplastics. Thermoplastics are those which do not undergo any chemical change when heated and can be heated and molded multiple times. Thermosetting polymers can only be heated and shaped once after which they stay solid. Plastics are used for a broad range of applicationsthat span across many industries and purposes. One of the most important uses of plastics is its role in protecting and saving lives.
Plastics has had a role in saving people’s lives since their development several decades ago. One of the most significant ways in which plastic has been used in a lifesaving manner has been in child protection. Plastics are used to make a number of safety devices for children and babies including safety gates and child safety seats which protect children from accidents and falls. Plastic incubators protect premature infants in hospital settings, from infection and viruses. And while Bisphenol-A in baby bottles has been an issue of late, safe plastics that can be used to manufacture items that will come in contact with infants are polyamide, polypropylene andpolyethylene.