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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Effects of Polystyrene Microplastics on Human Kidney and Liver Cell Morphology, Cellular Proliferation, and Metabolism

ACS Omega, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 7(38), P. 34136 - 34153

Published: Sept. 19, 2022

Microplastics have gained much attention due to their prevalence and abundance in our everyday lives. They been detected household items such as sugar, salt, honey, seafood, tap water, water bottles, food wrapped plastic. Once ingested, these tiny particles can travel internal organs the kidney liver cause adverse effects on cellular level. Here, human embryonic (HEK 293) cells hepatocellular (Hep G2) were used examine potential toxicological of 1 μm polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs). Exposing PS-MPs caused a major reduction proliferation but no significant decrease cell viability determined by trypan blue assay both lines. Cell remained at least 94% for lines even highest concentration 100 μg/mL PS-MPs. Phase-contrast imaging exposed 72 h showed morphological changes uptake PS-MP particles. Confocal fluorescent microscopy confirmed Additionally, flow cytometry experiments verified that more than 70% internalized after 48 exposure cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) studies revealed had increased levels ROS each every time point tested. Furthermore, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis 24 HEK 293 Hep G2 lowered gene expression glycolytic enzyme, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) catalase (CAT), thus reducing SOD2 CAT detoxify ROS. These suggest ingesting may lead problems metabolism cell-cell interactions. Because exposing results morphological, metabolic, proliferative stress, indicate undesirable health.

Language: Английский

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Microplastics may increase the environmental risks of Cd via promoting Cd uptake by plants: A meta-analysis

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 448, P. 130887 - 130887

Published: Jan. 30, 2023

Microplastics (MPs) and cadmium (Cd) are widely distributed in soil ecosystems, posing a potential threat to agricultural production human health. However, the coupled effects of MPs Cd soil-plant systems remain largely unknown, especially on large scale. In this study, meta-analysis was conducted evaluate influence plant growth accumulation under contamination conditions. Our results showed that had significantly negative shoot biomass (a decrease 11.8 %) root 8.79 %). also increased shoots roots by 14.6 % 13.5 %, respectively, revealing promote uptake. Notably, polyethylene displayed stronger promoting effect (an increase 29.4 among these MP types. induced (9.75 concentration available slight pH, which may be main driver addition posed physiological toxicity risks plants inhibiting photosynthesis enhancing oxidative damage, directly demonstrating combination with can pose synergetic plants. We further noted altered microbial diversity, likely influencing bioavailability systems. Overall, our study has important implications for combined impacts provides new insights into developing guidelines sustainable use agriculture.

Language: Английский

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Toxicity assessment of microplastic (MPs); a threat to the ecosystem

Environmental Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 234, P. 116523 - 116523

Published: July 6, 2023

Language: Английский

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Microplastic pollution in terrestrial ecosystems: Global implications and sustainable solutions

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 461, P. 132636 - 132636

Published: Sept. 28, 2023

Language: Английский

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Interactive effects of microplastics, biochar, and earthworms on CO2 and N2O emissions and microbial functional genes in vegetable-growing soil

Environmental Research, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 213, P. 113728 - 113728

Published: June 19, 2022

Language: Английский

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A discussion of microplastics in soil and risks for ecosystems and food chains

Chemosphere, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 313, P. 137637 - 137637

Published: Dec. 23, 2022

Microplastics are among the major contaminations in terrestrial and marine environments worldwide. These persistent organic contaminants composed of tiny particles concern due to their potential hazards ecosystem human health. accumulates ocean ecosystems, exerting effects on living organisms including microbiomes, fish plants. While accumulation fate microplastics ecosystems is thoroughly studied, distribution biological soil call for more research. Here, we review sources its physical chemical properties, water holding capacity, bulk density, pH value as well microorganisms animals. In addition, discuss combination with other toxic environmental heavy metals antibiotics plant growth physiology, health possible degradation remediation methods. This reflect an urgent need monitoring projects that assess toxicity plants various environments. The prospect these future research activities should prioritize agro-ecosystems, focusing microbial purposes environment.

Language: Английский

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Microplastics Derived from Food Packaging Waste—Their Origin and Health Risks

Materials, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 16(2), P. 674 - 674

Published: Jan. 10, 2023

Plastics are commonly used for packaging in the food industry. The most popular thermoplastic materials that have found such applications polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and polystyrene (PS). Unfortunately, plastic is disposable. As a consequence, significant amounts of waste generated, entering environment, undergoing degradation processes. They can occur under influence mechanical forces, temperature, light, chemical, biological factors. These factors present synergistic or antagonistic effects. result their action, microplastics formed, which undergo further fragmentation decomposition into small-molecule compounds. During process, various additives at plastics' processing stage also be released. Both negatively affect human animal health. Determination negative consequences on environment health not possible without knowing course processes products. In this article, we sources microplastics, causes places formation, transport particles, plastics often production storage, affecting said its

Language: Английский

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Nano- and microplastics commonly cause adverse impacts on plants at environmentally relevant levels: A systematic review

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 867, P. 161211 - 161211

Published: Jan. 10, 2023

Over the last years there has been significant research on presence and effects of plastics in terrestrial systems. Here we summarize current findings nano- microplastics (NMPs) plants, with aim to determine patterns response sensitive endpoints. We conducted a systematic review (based 78 studies) NMPs germination, plant growth biochemical biomarkers. This highlights that majority studies date have used pristine polystyrene or polyethylene particles, either hydroponic pot-plant setup. Based these found plants are widespread. noted similar responses between within monocots dicots NMPs, except for consistent lower germination seen exposed NMPs. During early development, root more strongly affected compared shoot growth. induced adverse biomass length most tested species (lettuce, wheat, corn, rice) irrespective polymer type size used. Moreover, biomarker were across species; chlorophyll levels commonly negatively affected, while stress indicators (e.g., ROS free radicals) respondents antioxidant enzymes) consistently upregulated. In addition, observed at environmentally relevant levels. These provide clear evidence wide-ranging impacts performance. However, as under highly controlled conditions plastics, is an urgent need test realistic ensure lab-based can be extrapolated field.

Language: Английский

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Effects of micro(nano)plastics on soil nutrient cycling: State of the knowledge

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 344, P. 118437 - 118437

Published: June 19, 2023

Language: Английский

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