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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Antibiotic resistance in aquaculture and aquatic organisms: a review of current nanotechnology applications for sustainable management

Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 29(46), P. 69241 - 69274

Published: Aug. 15, 2022

Language: Английский

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Adsorption of polluted dyes from water by transition metal oxides: A review

Applied Surface Science Advances, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 15, P. 100395 - 100395

Published: March 16, 2023

Language: Английский

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Antibiotic resistance in the aquatic environment: Analytical techniques and interactive impact of emerging contaminants

Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 96, P. 103995 - 103995

Published: Oct. 6, 2022

Language: Английский

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Microplastics toxicity, detection, and removal from water/wastewater

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 187, P. 114546 - 114546

Published: Jan. 12, 2023

Language: Английский

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The impact of microplastics on bivalve mollusks: A bibliometric and scientific review

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 194, P. 115271 - 115271

Published: July 8, 2023

Language: Английский

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Waste to energy: Trending key challenges and current technologies in waste plastic management

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 913, P. 169436 - 169436

Published: Dec. 29, 2023

Due to the 'forever' degrading nature of plastic waste, waste management is often complicated. The applications are ubiquitous and inevitable in many scenarios. Current global plastics production ca. 3.5 MMT per year, with current trend, will reach 25,000 by 2040. However, rapid growth manufacture material's inherent resulted accumulation a vast amount garbage. recycling rate <10 %, while large volumes discarded cause environmental ecological problems. Recycling rates for vary widely region type plastic. In some developed countries, around 20-30 developing nations, it much lower. These statistics highlight magnitude problem urgent need comprehensive strategies manage more effectively reduce its impact on environment. This review critically analyses past studies essential efficient techniques turning trash into treasure. Additionally, an attempt has been made provide understanding upcycling process, 3Rs policy, life-cycle assessment (LCA) conversion. advocates pyrolysis as one most promising methods valuable chemicals. addition, can be severely impacted due uncontrollable events, such Covid 19 pandemic. chemical certainly bring value end-of-life LCA analysis indicated there still huge scope innovation area compared mechanical recycling. formulation policies heightened public participation could play pivotal role reducing repercussions facilitating shift towards sustainable future.

Language: Английский

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Green synthesis of nanoparticles for remediation organic pollutants in wastewater by adsorption

Advances in chemical pollution, environmental management and protection, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 305 - 345

Published: July 27, 2023

Language: Английский

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Food chain microplastics contamination and impact on human health: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 22(4), P. 1889 - 1927

Published: April 9, 2024

Language: Английский

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The Unseen Threat of the Synergistic Effects of Microplastics and Heavy Metals in Aquatic Environments: A Critical Review

Current Pollution Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 10(3), P. 478 - 497

Published: March 26, 2024

Abstract Purpose of Review The synergistic effects microplastics (MPs) and heavy metals are becoming major threats to aquatic life human well-being. Therefore, understanding interactions between MPs is crucial comprehend their environmental impacts. Recent Findings mechanisms such as electrostatic attraction, surface interactions, ion exchange, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic forces, π–π behind the were critically reviewed justified. In addition, roles chemistry in these also emphasized. Finally, efficient remediation techniques aligning with a circular economy-based initiative promote sustainable solutions recommended mitigate plastic-heavy metal pollution achieve cleaner environment. Summary This review examines combined impact ecosystems, detailing mechanistic consequences proposed solutions. Additionally, this highlights MP-heavy contamination risks emphasizes need for further research safeguard health.

Language: Английский

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