The global threat from plastic pollution

Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 373(6550), P. 61 - 65

Published: July 1, 2021

Plastic pollution accumulating in an area of the environment is considered “poorly reversible” if natural mineralization processes occurring there are slow and engineered remediation solutions improbable. Should negative outcomes these areas arise as a consequence plastic pollution, they will be practically irreversible. Potential impacts from poorly reversible include changes to carbon nutrient cycles; habitat within soils, sediments, aquatic ecosystems; co-occurring biological on endangered or keystone species; ecotoxicity; related societal impacts. The rational response global threat posed by rapidly reduce emissions through reductions consumption virgin materials, along with internationally coordinated strategies for waste management.

Language: Английский

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Outside the Safe Operating Space of the Planetary Boundary for Novel Entities

Environmental Science & Technology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 56(3), P. 1510 - 1521

Published: Jan. 18, 2022

We submit that the safe operating space of planetary boundary novel entities is exceeded since annual production and releases are increasing at a pace outstrips global capacity for assessment monitoring. The in boundaries framework refers to geological sense could have large-scale impacts threaten integrity Earth system processes. review scientific literature relevant quantifying highlight plastic pollution as particular aspect high concern. An impact pathway from on processes presented. define apply three criteria suitability control variables boundary: feasibility, relevance, comprehensiveness. propose several complementary capture complexity this boundary, while acknowledging major data limitations. conclude humanity currently outside based weight-of-evidence these variables. rate larger volumes higher numbers with diverse risk potentials exceed societies' ability conduct safety related assessments recommend taking urgent action reduce harm associated exceeding by reducing entities, noting even so, persistence many and/or their effects will continue pose threat.

Language: Английский

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Environmental behaviors of microplastics in aquatic systems: A systematic review on degradation, adsorption, toxicity and biofilm under aging conditions

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 423, P. 126915 - 126915

Published: Aug. 14, 2021

Language: Английский

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Upcycling and catalytic degradation of plastic wastes

Cell Reports Physical Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 2(8), P. 100514 - 100514

Published: July 22, 2021

Various recycling technologies have been developed to deal with plastic problems, but they face considerable economic and technological challenges in practice. An attractive alternative is upcycling, which aims dig out the embedded value incentivize large-scale valorization of wastes. The degradation nonrecoverable wastes another necessity treat omnipresent pollution. This review presents an overview on conversion toward value-added products catalytic Based examination traditional products, we summarize state-of-the-art design development high-value high-performance fuels, chemicals, materials. Subsequently, highlight advances plastics environmentally benign or degradable mineralization into carbon dioxide water. We conclude our perspective ongoing challenge opportunities.

Language: Английский

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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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The polymers and their additives in particulate plastics: What makes them hazardous to the fauna?

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 824, P. 153828 - 153828

Published: Feb. 11, 2022

Language: Английский

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Leaching of microplastic-associated additives in aquatic environments: A critical review

Environmental Pollution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 305, P. 119258 - 119258

Published: April 7, 2022

Language: Английский

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Biodegradation of macro- and micro-plastics in environment: A review on mechanism, toxicity, and future perspectives

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 858, P. 160108 - 160108

Published: Nov. 9, 2022

Language: Английский

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Global transportation of plastics and microplastics: A critical review of pathways and influences

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 831, P. 154884 - 154884

Published: March 28, 2022

Language: Английский

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Occurrence, fate, and sorption behavior of contaminants of emerging concern to microplastics: Influence of the weathering/aging process

Journal of environmental chemical engineering, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 9(5), P. 106290 - 106290

Published: Sept. 1, 2021

Language: Английский

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