The Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health

Annals of Global Health, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 89(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Plastics have conveyed great benefits to humanity and made possible some of the most significant advances modern civilization in fields as diverse medicine, electronics, aerospace, construction, food packaging, sports. It is now clear, however, that plastics are also responsible for harms human health, economy, earth's environment. These occur at every stage plastic life cycle, from extraction coal, oil, gas its main feedstocks through ultimate disposal into The extent these not been systematically assessed, their magnitude fully quantified, economic costs comprehensively counted.The goals this Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Human Health examine plastics' impacts across cycle on: (1) health well-being; (2) global environment, especially ocean; (3) economy; (4) vulnerable populations-the poor, minorities, world's children. On basis examination, offers science-based recommendations designed support development a Global Treaty, protect save lives.This report contains seven Sections. Following an Introduction, Section 2 presents narrative review processes involved production, use, notes hazards environment associated with each stages. 3 describes ocean potential enter marine web result exposure. 4 details health. 5 first-order estimate health-related costs. 6 examines intersection between plastic, social inequity, environmental injustice. 7 Commission's findings recommendations.Plastics complex, highly heterogeneous, synthetic chemical materials. Over 98% produced fossil carbon- oil gas. comprised carbon-based polymer backbone thousands additional chemicals incorporated polymers convey specific properties such color, flexibility, stability, water repellence, flame retardation, ultraviolet resistance. Many added toxic. They include carcinogens, neurotoxicants endocrine disruptors phthalates, bisphenols, per- poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), brominated retardants, organophosphate retardants. integral components many environment.Global production has increased almost exponentially since World War II, time more than 8,300 megatons (Mt) manufactured. Annual volume grown under Mt 1950 460 2019, 230-fold increase, track triple by 2060. More half all ever 2002. Single-use account 35-40% current represent rapidly growing segment manufacture.Explosive recent growth reflects deliberate pivot integrated multinational fossil-carbon corporations produce manufacture plastics. reducing fuels increasing manufacture. two principal factors decreasing demand due increases 'green' energy, massive expansion fracking.Plastic energy-intensive contributes significantly climate change. At present, estimated 3.7% greenhouse emissions, contribution Brazil. This fraction projected increase 4.5% 2060 if trends continue unchecked.The three phases: disposal. In carbon feedstocks-coal, gas, oil-are transformed energy-intensive, catalytic vast array products. Plastic use occurs aspect results widespread exposure contained plastic. constitute largest portion followed fibers construction.Plastic inefficient, recovery recycling rates below 10% globally. 22 waste enters year, much it single-use gigatons accumulated 1950. Strategies controlled uncontrolled landfilling, open burning, thermal conversion, export. Vast quantities exported year high-income low-income countries, where accumulates landfills, pollutes air water, degrades vital ecosystems, befouls beaches estuaries, health-environmental injustice scale. Plastic-laden e-waste particularly problematic.Plastics plastic-associated pollution. contaminate aquatic (marine freshwater), terrestrial, atmospheric environments destination found throughout ocean, including coastal regions, sea surface, deep sea, polar ice. appear resist breakdown could persist decades. Macro- micro-plastic particles identified hundreds species major taxa, consumed humans. Trophic transfer microplastic within them demonstrated. Although themselves (>10 µm) undergo biomagnification, hydrophobic bioaccumulate animals biomagnify webs. amounts fates smaller nanoplastic (MNPs <10 poorly understood, but harm worrying given mobility biological systems. Adverse pollution multiple levels molecular biochemical population ecosystem. MNP contamination seafood direct, though well chemicals. Marine endangers ecosystems upon which depends food, oxygen, livelihood, well-being.Coal miners, workers field who extract suffer mortality traumatic injury, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, silicosis, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary lung cancer. risk leukemia, lymphoma, hepatic angiosarcoma, brain cancer, breast mesothelioma, neurotoxic decreased fertility. Workers producing textiles die bladder interstitial disease rates. toxic metal poisoning, neuropathy, Residents "fenceline" communities adjacent sites experience risks premature birth, low birth weight, asthma, childhood cancer.During disposal, release additives residual monomers people. National biomonitoring surveys USA document population-wide exposures disrupt function births, neurodevelopmental disorders, male reproductive defects, infertility, obesity, renal cancers. Chemical-laden MNPs formed degradation can living organisms, Emerging, albeit still incomplete evidence indicates may cause toxicity physical toxicological effects acting vectors transport bacterial pathogens tissues cells.Infants womb young children populations high plastic-related effects. Because exquisite sensitivity early hazardous children's unique patterns exposure, linked prematurity, stillbirth, defects organs, impairment, impaired growth, Early-life non-communicable diseases later life.Plastic's We 2015 exceeded $250 billion (2015 Int$) globally, alone disability caused PBDE, BPA DEHP $920 Int$). (GHG) emissions equivalent 1.96 dioxide (CO2e) annually. Using US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) cost metric, we annual GHG be $341 Int$).These costs, large they are, certainly underestimate full losses resulting negative All costs-and costs-are externalized petrochemical manufacturing industry borne citizens, taxpayers, governments countries around world without compensation.The adverse economy evenly distributed. disproportionately affect disempowered, marginalized workers, racial ethnic communities, Indigenous groups, women, children, whom had little do creating crisis lack political influence or resources address it. Plastics' harmful keenly felt South, small island states, disenfranchised areas North. Social justice (SEJ) principles require reversal inequitable burdens ensure no group bears disproportionate share those benefit economically bear fair currently costs.It clear sustainable societal injustices.The driver worsening exponential accelerating production. further magnified long persistence environment.The plastics-monomers, additives, processing agents, non-intentionally substances-include amongst number known disruptors, neurotoxicants, persistent organic pollutants. planetary leach out plastics, pollution, disease. efforts reduce must chemicals.To at-risk populations, put end 2040, supports urgent adoption nations strong comprehensive Treaty accord mandate set forth March 2022 resolution United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).International measures needed curb because transcend national boundaries, scale, well-being people poorest nations. Effective implementation will international action coordinated complemented interventions national, regional, local levels.This urges cap targets, timetables, contributions central provision Treaty. recommend inclusion following provisions:The needs extend beyond microplastics litter plastics.The banning severely restricting unnecessary, avoidable, problematic items, items manufactured microbeads.The requirements extended producer responsibility (EPR) make producers, manufacturers products legally financially safety end-of-life management materials sell.The reductions complexity products; health-protective standards additives; requirement non-toxic materials; disclosure components; traceability components. International cooperation essential implementing enforcing standards.The SEJ remedies fill gaps community knowledge advance both distributional procedural equity.This encourages calling exploration listing least pollutants (POPs) Stockholm Convention.This interface Basel London Conventions enhance slow exports least-developed countries.This recommends creation Permanent Science Policy Advisory Body guide Treaty's implementation. priorities would Member States other stakeholders evaluating solutions effective consumption, enhancing recycling, curbing generation waste. assess trade-offs among evaluate safer alternatives monitor transnational export coordinate robust oceanic-, land-, air-based monitoring programs.This investment research crisis. need determine cost-effective context particular proposed solutions. Oceanographic better measure concentrations µm understand distribution fate Biomedical elucidate MNPs.This finds boon stealth threat enormous benefits, linear pay attention design safe near absence recovery, reuse, grave damage, injustices. worsening.While there remain about uncertainties magnitude, available today demonstrates unequivocally severity intervention Manufacture continue. However, reckless ever-increasing unnecessary products, curbed.Global against failure act immense.

Language: Английский

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Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds: An Overview on Their Occurrence in the Aquatic Environment and Human Exposure

Water, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 13(10), P. 1347 - 1347

Published: May 12, 2021

Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) as emerging contaminants have accumulated in the aquatic environment at concentration levels that been determined to be significant humans and animals. Several belong this family, from natural substances (hormones such estrone, 17-estradiol, estriol) synthetic chemicals, especially pesticides, pharmaceuticals, plastic-derived (phthalates, bisphenol A). In review, we discuss recent works regarding EDC occurrence compartment, strengths limitations of current analytical methods used for their detection, treatment technologies removal water, health issues they can trigger humans. Nowadays, many EDCs identified amounts different water matrices including drinking thus increasing possibility entering food chain. studies correlate human exposure high concentrations with serious effects infertility, thyroid dysfunction, early puberty, endometriosis, diabetes, obesity. Although our intention is not explain all disorders related exposure, review aims guide future research towards a deeper knowledge EDCs’ contamination accumulation highlighting toxicity risks

Language: Английский

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Recent trends and future challenges of pesticide removal techniques – A comprehensive review

Journal of environmental chemical engineering, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 9(4), P. 105571 - 105571

Published: April 28, 2021

Language: Английский

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A review of the endocrine disrupting effects of micro and nano plastic and their associated chemicals in mammals

Frontiers in Endocrinology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13

Published: Jan. 16, 2023

Over the years, vaste expansion of plastic manufacturing has dramatically increased environmental impact microplastics [MPs] and nanoplastics [NPs], making them a threat to marine terrestrial biota because they contain endocrine disrupting chemicals [EDCs] other harmful compounds. MPs NPs have deleteriouse impacts on mammalian components such as hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, testes, ovaries. absorb act transport medium for bisphenols, phthalates, polybrominated diphenyl ether, polychlorinated biphenyl organotin, perfluorinated compounds, dioxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, organic contaminants, heavy metals, which are commonly used additives in production. As EDCs not covalently bonded plastics, can easily leach into milk, water, liquids affecting system mammals upon exposure. The toxicity induced by is size-dependent, smaller particles better absorption capacity larger surface area, releasing more EDC toxic chemicals. Various contained or carried share structural similarities with specific hormone receptors; hence interfere normal receptors, altering hormonal action glands. This review demonstrates size-dependent MPs’ bioaccumulation, distribution, translocation potential hazards gland. We reviewed that disrupt hypothalamic-pituitary axes, including hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid/adrenal/testicular/ovarian axis leading oxidative stress, reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, cytotoxicity, developmental abnormalities, decreased sperm quality, immunotoxicity. direct consequences testis, ovaries documented. Still, studies need be out identify effects adrenal

Language: Английский

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Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in environmental matrices: Occurrence, fate, health impact, physio-chemical and bioremediation technology

Environmental Pollution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 302, P. 119061 - 119061

Published: Feb. 26, 2022

Language: Английский

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Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Disease Endpoints

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 24(6), P. 5342 - 5342

Published: March 10, 2023

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have significant impacts on biological systems, and been shown to interfere with physiological especially by disrupting the hormone balance. During last few decades, EDCs affect reproductive, neurological, metabolic development function even stimulate tumor growth. EDC exposure during can disrupt normal patterns alter susceptibility disease. Many endocrine-disrupting properties, including bisphenol A, organochlorines, polybrominated flame retardants, alkylphenols, phthalates. These compounds gradually elucidated as risk factors for many diseases, such neural, diseases cancers. Endocrine disruption has spread wildlife species that are connected food chains. Dietary uptake represents an important source of exposure. Although represent a public health concern, relationship specific mechanism between remain unclear. This review focuses disease-EDC disease endpoints associated endocrine better understanding EDCs-disease elucidates new prevention/treatment opportunities screening methods.

Language: Английский

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Impact of Chemical Endocrine Disruptors and Hormone Modulators on the Endocrine System

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 23(10), P. 5710 - 5710

Published: May 20, 2022

There is growing concern regarding the health and safety issues of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Long-term exposure to EDCs has alarming adverse effects through both hormone-direct hormone-indirect pathways. Non-chemical agents, including physical agents such as artificial light, radiation, temperature, stress exposure, are currently poorly investigated, even though they can seriously affect endocrine system, by modulation hormonal action. Several mechanisms have been suggested explain interference with activity. However, difficulty in quantifying low standardization studies, presence confounding factors do not allow establishment a causal relationship between disorders specific toxic agents. In this review, we focus on recent findings hormone system modulators thyroid, parathyroid glands, adrenal steroidogenesis, beta-cell function, male female reproductive function.

Language: Английский

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Origin, dietary exposure, and toxicity of endocrine-disrupting food chemical contaminants: A comprehensive review

Heliyon, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9(7), P. e18140 - e18140

Published: July 1, 2023

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are a growing public health concern worldwide. Consumption of foodstuffs is currently thought to be one the principal exposure routes EDCs. However, alternative ways human through inhalation and dermal contact. These compounds in food products such as canned food, bottled water, dairy products, fish, meat, egg, vegetables ubiquitous general population. Therefore, understanding EDCs' properties, origin, exposure, toxicological impact, legal aspects vital control their release environment food. The present paper provides an overview EDCs possible disrupting impact on endocrine system other organs.

Language: Английский

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The adverse role of endocrine disrupting chemicals in the reproductive system

Frontiers in Endocrinology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14

Published: Jan. 17, 2024

Reproductive system diseases pose prominent threats to human physical and mental well-being. Besides being influenced by genetic material regulation changes in lifestyle, the occurrence of these is closely connected exposure harmful substances environment. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), characterized hormone-like effects, have a wide range influences on reproductive system. EDCs are ubiquitous natural environment present industrial everyday products. Currently, thousands been reported exhibit endocrine this number likely increase as testing for potential has not consistently required, obtaining data limited, partly due long latency many diseases. The ability avoid EDCs, especially those artificially synthesized origin, increasingly challenging. While can be divided into persistent non-persistent depending their degree degradation, recent uptick research studies area, we chosen focus pertaining detrimental effects health several that widely encountered daily life over past six years, specifically bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates (PAEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), parabens, pesticides, heavy metals, so on. By focusing impact hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which leads development diseases, review aims provide new insights molecular mechanisms EDCs’ damage encourage further in-depth clarify potentially EDC through various other mechanisms. Ultimately, it offers scientific basis enhance risk management, an endeavor significant societal importance safeguarding health.

Language: Английский

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Harnessing the power of bacterial laccases for xenobiotic degradation in water: A 10-year overview

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 918, P. 170498 - 170498

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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