As part of my journalism course sometimes we are given press releases from which we have to create articles. Although some people call this lazy journalism or "churnalism" I still think it's a valuable skill to know. Today was my first day back for my second year and I was given a press release about Nick Clegg charging for carrier bags and the potential effects that this could have on our health. Here's my article.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, has announced plans to discourage the use of multiple bags, but scientists warn that this could trigger serious health risks.
Leading Scientists warn that ditching plastic bags in favour of reusable bags could pose a serious risk to public health including exposing shoppers to the risk of food poisoning.
A research study by Pennsylvania University found a 25 percent increase in hospital admissions for bacterial infections such as E.coli after San Francisco banned plastic bags.
According to the study: “The San Francisco ban is associated with a 46 percent increase in deaths from food-borne illness to a rate of approximately 12 deaths a year.”
Scientists warn that reused bags are often “heavily contaminated” with bacteria and that food contamination is on the increase.
Hugh Pennington, emeritus professor of bacteriology at Aberdeen University said: “There are some bags you should only use once. Any bag that’s carrying meat, wrapped or unwrapped, shouldn’t be used again.
“Even if people wash the bags they won’t necessarily get rid of all of the bugs. The bag may look clean but you can still easily find these bugs,” he continued.
Professor Kofi Aidoo, leading expert on bacterial toxins and food-borne diseases said: “One bacteria cell will quickly become thousands. If people are going to have to pay for and reuse bags then they need advice on how to clean them, we are creating a high risk of food poisoning.”
The plans to charge 5p for plastic bags will come into effect in England from 2015.
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