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Environmental Impacts of Petroleum-Based Moisturizers - Coggle Diagram
Environmental Impacts of Petroleum-Based Moisturizers
Narrative: Sea Otters
Environmental role
Keystone species
Prevent the overconsumption of kelp
Kelp plays a key role in carbon capture
Kelp provides shelter and nourishment for fish and invertebrates
Keep mollusk, crustacean, and urchin populations under control
Gives the slugs eaten by these creatures a chance to clean kelp and seagrass
Protects kelp from being devoured by urchins
Lovable creatures
Makes them good candidates for climate advocacy
Heavy impact of petroleum industry on otters gains lots of publicity
People naturally want to protect otters
External impacts of oil on otters
Oil mats the fur of otters and disrupts its insulating properties
Hyperthermia
Hypothermia
Even a small amount of oil can easily spread across an otter's entire body
Chemicals in oil spills are severely irritating to otters and can cause permanent damage
Damage to flippers
Damage to nose
Damage to eyes
Internal impacts of oil on otters
Consumption of oil can lead to many internal disorders
Gastrointestinal injury
Emphysema
Hypoglycemia
Some chemicals in the oil can bioaccumulate within otters for permanent adverse effects
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are one of these chemicals
PAHs can lead to cancer
PAHs can lead to harmful mutations
PAHs can lead to birth defects
Environmental impact of petroleum-based moisturizers
White petrolatum is a main ingredient in products like Vaseline and Aquaphor
White petrolatum is a byproduct of the oil refining process
Petrolatum is purified using bone char, which is made by crushing and repeatedly roasting animal bones
Petrolatum builds up on oil rig machinery and is purified into the substance we find on shelves
The oil refining process is non-renewable and not environmentally friendly
The petroleum industry is one of the leading contributors to climate change
Oil refining releases greenhouse gases, which speed up global warming
Oil refining contributes hugely to ocean acidification
Petroleum products offgas volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are harmful to inhale
Petroleum purification produces a host of toxic chemicals
The petroleum industry is responsible for oil spills that pollute the environment and kill wildlife
Unrefined white petrolatum can contain PAHs, which are incredibly damaging to humans and wildlife alike
PAHs are mutagenic, causing diseases and birth defects
Because PAHs are insoluble in water, they are difficult to break down and can remain in nature for a long time
PAHs are carcinogenic
PAHs biomagnify, meaning they accumulate within the body over time
What can we do to change?
Buy/use different products
Lanolin
Jojoba seed oil
Coconut oil
Beeswax-based salves
Donate to oil cleanup efforts
Monetary donations toward helping to protect marine wildlife from oil spills
Hair donation for oil spill cleanup
Monetary donations toward research in more effective oil cleanup
Offset the impacts of petrolatum by limiting oil consumption through other means
Recycle plastic products when possible
Use less electricity
Walk more frequently instead of driving
Purchase fewer plastics