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

---

Ultraviolet Filters for Cosmetic Applications

Cosmetics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 10(4), P. 101 - 101

Published: July 12, 2023

Sunscreens reduce the occurrence risk of skin disorders such as sunburn, aging, and cancer through their ability to absorb, reflect, scatter ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This review provides an overview UV filters active ingredients sunscreen products, emphasizing classification structural characteristics. Their photostability, mechanism action radiation absorption, optical properties, regulatory status are discussed based on chemical structure. The main classes organic presented include aminobenzoic acid derivatives, salicylic cinnamic benzophenones, dibenzoylmethane benzylidene camphor triazines, benzimidazole benzotriazole derivatives. pursuit new research is crucial in advancing technology ensuring availability effective safe options for sun protection.

Language: Английский

---

Safety of benzophenone-type UV filters: A mini review focusing on carcinogenicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity

Chemosphere, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 326, P. 138455 - 138455

Published: March 20, 2023

Language: Английский

---

A review of sources, pathways, and toxic effects of human exposure to benzophenone ultraviolet light filters

Eco-Environment & Health, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 3(1), P. 30 - 44

Published: Oct. 19, 2023

Benzophenone ultraviolet light filters (BPs) are high-production-volume chemicals extensively used in personal care products, leading to widespread human exposure. Given their estrogenic properties, the potential health risks associated with exposure BPs have become a public concern. This review aims summarize sources and pathways of risks. Dermal exposure, primarily through use sunscreens, constitutes major pathway for BP At recommended application rate, dermal BP-3 via sunscreens may reach or exceed suggested reference dose. Other BPs, such as drinking water, seafood, packaged foods, contribute minimal overall Inhalation is minor exposure; however, its contribution cannot be ignored. Human an order magnitude higher North America than Asia Europe. Studies conducted on laboratory animals cells consistently demonstrated toxic effects elicit reproductive developmental toxicities. Furthermore, neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, carcinogenicity been reported from chronic In addition animal cell studies, epidemiological investigations identified associations between couples' fecundity other disorders, well adverse birth outcomes. Further studies urgently needed understand posed by health.

Language: Английский

---

A review of endocrine disrupting chemicals migration from food contact materials into beverages

Chemosphere, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 355, P. 141760 - 141760

Published: March 25, 2024

Language: Английский

---

Dual Photo‐Responsive Diphenylacetylene Enables PET In‐Situ Upcycling with Reverse Enhanced UV‐Resistance and Strength

Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 62(52)

Published: Nov. 8, 2023

A novel in situ chemical upcycling strategy for plastic waste is proposed by the customized diphenylacetylene monomer with dual photo-response. That is, reactive monomers are inserted into macromolecular chain of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics/fibers through one-pot transesterification slight-depolymerization and re-polymerization. On one hand, group absorbs short-wave high-energy UV rays then releases long-wave low-energy harmless fluorescence. other UV-induced photo-crosslinking reaction among groups produces extended π-conjugated structure, resulting a red-shift (due to decreased HOMO-LUMO separation) absorption band locked crosslink points between PET chains. Therefore, increasing exposure time, upcycled plastics exhibit reverse enhanced resistance mechanical strength (superior original performance), instead serious UV-photodegradation damaged performance. This at oligomer-scale not only provides new idea traditional recycling, but also solves common problem gradual degradation polymer performance during use.

Language: Английский

---

Associations of urinary non-persistent endocrine disrupting chemical biomarkers with early-to-mid pregnancy plasma sex-steroid and thyroid hormones

Environment International, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 183, P. 108433 - 108433

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Pregnant women are exposed to numerous endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that can affect hormonal pathways regulating pregnancy outcomes and fetal development. Thus, we evaluated overall sex-specific associations of phthalate/replacement, paraben, phenol biomarkers with sex-steroid thyroid hormones. Illinois (n=302) provided plasma for progesterone, estradiol, testosterone, free T4 (FT4), total (TT4), stimulating hormone (TSH) at median 17 weeks gestation. Women also up-to-five first-morning urine samples monthly across (8-40 weeks), which pooled measure 19 phthalate/replacement metabolites (reflecting ten parent compounds), three parabens, six phenols. We used linear regression evaluate hormones, as well weighted quantile sum Bayesian kernel machine (BKMR) assess cumulative associations, non-linearities, chemical interactions. In relatively high socioeconomic status, several EDC were associated select without or non-linear FT4, TT4. The biomarker mixture was negatively estradiol (only higher concentrations using BKMR), TSH, where each 10% increase -5.65% (95%C.I.: -9.79, -1.28) lower testosterone -0.09 μIU/mL (95%CI: -0.20, 0.00) TSH. Associations FT4 did not differ by sex. However, in carrying females, identified an inverted u-shaped relationship the estradiol. Additionally, 1.50% -0.15, 3.18) TT4, whereas males, -1.77% -4.08, 0.58) TT4 -0.18 -0.33, -0.03) Some early-to-mid There some associations. Future studies could consider how these findings relate pregnancy/birth outcomes.

Language: Английский

---

Tuning the UV absorbing ability of CeO2 nanoparticles with F− doping

FlatChem, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 39, P. 100494 - 100494

Published: March 16, 2023

Language: Английский

---

Impacts associated with the plastic polymers polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and polybutadiene across their life cycle: A review

Heliyon, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 10(12), P. e32912 - e32912

Published: June 1, 2024

Polymers are the main building blocks of plastic, with annual global production volume fossil carbon-based polymers reaching over 457 million metric tons in 2019 and this figure is anticipated to triple by 2060. There potential for environmental harm adverse human health impacts associated its constituent chemicals therein, at all stages plastic life cycle, from extraction raw materials, manufacturing, consumption, through ultimate disposal waste management. While there have been considerable research policy efforts identifying mitigating problematic products such as single-use plastics hazardous plastics, national and/or international regulations phase out their use, often overlooked. In review, polymer dimension current knowledge on release, exposure discussed across including used additives commonly achieve properties needed applications which generally used. This review focuses polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polybutadiene, four common made monomers, bisphenol, styrene, vinyl chloride 1,3-butadiene, respectively. Potential alternative polymers, chemicals, considered. Our findings emphasise need a whole system approach be undertaken effective regulation whereby assessed respect entire cycle.

Language: Английский

---

Prenatal exposure to benzophenone-type UV filters and the associations with neonatal birth outcomes and maternal health in south China

Environment International, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 189, P. 108797 - 108797

Published: June 1, 2024

Benzophenone (BP)-type UV filters are commonly added to sunscreens and cosmetics protect against radiation for human skin hair. As a result, BPs ubiquitous in the environment body, their endocrine-disrupting characteristics have been hot topic of discussion. However, our knowledge regarding detrimental effects prenatal exposure on pregnant women offspring remains limited. To fill this gap, we determined five BP derivatives 600 serum samples obtained from women. All target analytes, except 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone (BP-1), achieved 100 % detection rate. The most prevalent compound was 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP-3), with median concentration 0.545 ng/mL. Significant positive correlations were observed among derivatives, indicating both endogenous metabolism common external sources. Utilizing Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) quantile-based g-computation (QGC) models, found relationships between reduced neonatal birth weight (BW) chest circumference (BC) during third trimester. Notably, adverse effect size sex-specific. Moreover, triglyceride (TG) identified as potential mediator blood pressure, co-exposure linked disruptions thyroid hormone levels glucose regulation. Further research is warranted unravel toxicity fetuses.

Language: Английский

---