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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Toxicity Mechanisms of Nanoplastics on Crop Growth, Interference of Phyllosphere Microbes, and Evidence for Foliar Penetration and Translocation

Environmental Science & Technology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 58(2), P. 1010 - 1021

Published: Nov. 7, 2023

Despite the increasing prevalence of atmospheric nanoplastics (NPs), there remains limited research on their phytotoxicity, foliar absorption, and translocation in plants. In this study, we aimed to fill knowledge gap by investigating physiological effects tomato leaves exposed differently charged NPs absorption NPs. We found that positively caused more pronounced effects, including growth inhibition, increased antioxidant enzyme activity, altered gene expression metabolite composition even significantly changed structure phyllosphere microbial community. Also, exhibited differential translocation, with penetrating into dispersing uniformly within mesophyll cells. Additionally, absorbed were able translocate roots. These findings provide important insights interactions between crop plants demonstrate NPs' accumulation crops could negatively impact agricultural production food safety.

Language: Английский

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Phytotoxicity of microplastics to the floating plant Spirodela polyrhiza (L.): Plant functional traits and metabolomics

Environmental Pollution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 322, P. 121199 - 121199

Published: Feb. 2, 2023

Language: Английский

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Element cycling with micro(nano)plastics

Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 385(6712), P. 933 - 935

Published: Aug. 29, 2024

Plastics in the environment can alter a wide range of biogeochemical cycles.

Language: Английский

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Bioelectrochemical systems – A potentially effective technology for mitigating microplastic contamination in wastewater

Journal of Cleaner Production, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 450, P. 141931 - 141931

Published: March 25, 2024

Language: Английский

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Microplastics contamination in seaweed: impacts on human health and mitigation approaches

Deleted Journal, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 2(1)

Published: Jan. 9, 2025

Marine algae, which are often overlooked but extremely versatile, proving to be a promising solution in the midst of environmental challenges. They used as raw materials various sectors and also serve food for humans. The rapid increase plastics poses an urgent ecological problem that requires immediate attention marine ecosystem. This study provides overview microplastics (MPs) pollution its harmful effects on human health. addresses research gaps future directions. data was collected from databases such Scopus, Web Science, Dimension, Pubmed Central. bibliometric analysis shows total 1020 articles were extracted study. Fibers, fragments, foam, films, microbeads most abundant MPs types found seaweed Fucus vesiculosus, Gracilaria lemaneiformis, Ulva flexuosa. Most MP's recorded U. prolifera, Caulerpa F. G. Chondrus ocellatus, lactuca. These contaminated with can cause oxidative damage, cytotoxicity, neurotoxicity carcinogenicity consumers. studies contamination algae conducted 2020, 2021 2022. suggests since consumed worldwide, additional field laboratory needed determine true situation. results suggest further is Further global needed, well continuous monitoring levels edible algae. Public awareness crucial minimize impact plastic oceans, innovative technologies, consumer choices responsibility. Interdisciplinary collaboration key sustainable coexistence environment.

Language: Английский

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Assessing stress responses in potherb mustard (Brassica juncea var. multiceps) exposed to a synergy of microplastics and cadmium: Insights from physiology, oxidative damage, and metabolomics

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 907, P. 167920 - 167920

Published: Oct. 19, 2023

Language: Английский

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Origination, fate, accumulation, and impact, of microplastics in a marine ecosystem and bio/technological approach for remediation: A review

Process Safety and Environmental Protection, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 177, P. 472 - 485

Published: July 5, 2023

Language: Английский

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Size-dependent long-term weathering converting floating polypropylene macro- and microplastics into nanoplastics in coastal seawater environments

Water Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 242, P. 120165 - 120165

Published: June 10, 2023

Language: Английский

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Current advances in microplastic contamination in aquatic sediment: Analytical methods, global occurrence, and effects on elemental cycling

TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 168, P. 117331 - 117331

Published: Oct. 7, 2023

Language: Английский

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