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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Characterization of three plastic forms: Plasticoncrete, plastimetal and plastisessiles

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 895, P. 165073 - 165073

Published: June 22, 2023

Plastic forms, including plastiglomerate, pyroplastic, plasticrusts, anthropoquinas, plastistone and plastitar, were recorded worldwide. These plastic forms derive from geochemical or geophysical interactions such as heat-induced fusion with rock in campfires, incomplete combustion, water motion-driven abrasion the rocky intertidal zone, deposition hardened sediments bonding tar. Thereby, these can profoundly influence fate of plastics environment. This study characterized three novel (plasticoncrete, plastimetal plastisessiles) discovered on Helgoland island (North Sea). Plasticoncrete consisted common polyethylene (PE) polypropylene (PP) fibers concrete. Plastimetal included PE rusted metal. Plastisessiles attached to benthic substrates by sessile invertebrates (oysters polychaetes). are first composed two man-made materials. show that not only result human- environment-mediated but also biological between plastic. All (bulk density ≥ 1.4 g/cm3) sunk during floating tests hardly changed their positions a 13-day field experiment 153- 306-day monitorings, indicating local formation, limited mobility longevity. Still, experimentally detached floated, confirming formation influences Furthermore, showed plasticoncrete got deposited beach sand under wavy windy conditions, coastal waves onshore winds drive sediments. We provide records Mallorca (Mediterranean Sea) Hikoshima (Sea Japan), respectively, which no phenomena. our contributes growing fundamental knowledge is essential understand role pollutants habitats

Language: Английский

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Fire and Oil Led to Complex Mixtures of PAHs on Burnt and Unburnt Plastic during the M/V X-Press Pearl Disaster

ACS Environmental Au, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 3(5), P. 319 - 335

Published: July 12, 2023

In May 2021, the M/V X-Press Pearl container ship burned for 2 weeks, leading to largest maritime spill of resin pellets (nurdles). The disaster was exacerbated by leakage other cargo and ship's underway fuel. This affords unique opportunity study a time-stamped, geolocated release plastic under real-world conditions. Field samples collected from beaches in Sri Lanka nearest comprised nurdles exposed heat combustion, burnt pieces (pyroplastic), oil-plastic agglomerates (petroplastic). An unresolved question is whether 1600+ tons spilled recovered should be considered hazardous waste. Due known formation toxicity combustion-derived polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), we measured 20 parent 21 alkylated PAHs associated with several types plastic. maximum PAH content sampled pyroplastic had greatest amount recorded marine debris (199,000 ng/g). contrast, unburnt white two orders magnitude less content. composition varied between presented features typical conflicting petrogenic pyrogenic sources. Nevertheless, specific markers compositional changes burning plastics were identified, revealing that fire main source PAHs. Eight months after spill, contents stray reduced more than 50%. their exceeding levels allowable consumer goods, classifying as waste may warranted. Following largely successful cleanup, recommend Lankans re-evaluate identification, handling, disposal potential exposure responders public handling it. underscores type pollution has yet fully explored, despite pervasiveness intentional unintentional globally.

Language: Английский

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New forms of particulate plastics in the anthropocene

Earth-Science Reviews, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 246, P. 104601 - 104601

Published: Oct. 21, 2023

Language: Английский

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Plastistone: An emerging type of sedimentary rock

Earth-Science Reviews, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 247, P. 104620 - 104620

Published: Nov. 4, 2023

Language: Английский

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Moldable Plastics (Polycaprolactone) can be Acutely Toxic to Developing Zebrafish and Activate Nuclear Receptors in Mammalian Cells

ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 10(8), P. 5237 - 5251

Published: July 9, 2024

Popularized on social media, hand-moldable plastics are formed by consumers into tools, trinkets, and dental prosthetics. Despite the anticipated dermal oral contact, manufacturers share little information with about these materials, which typically sold as microplastic-sized resin pellets. Inherent to their function, moldable pose a risk of exposure unknown leachable substances. We analyzed 12 advertised for modeling applications determined them be polycaprolactone (PCL) or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The bioactivities most popular brands each type polymer were evaluated using zebrafish embryo bioassay. While water-borne TPU pellets did not affect targeted developmental end points at any concentration tested, PCL acutely toxic above 1 pellet/mL. aqueous leachates demonstrated similar toxicity. Methanolic extracts from assayed bioactivity Attagene FACTORIAL platform. Of 69 measured points, activated nuclear receptors transcription factors xenobiotic metabolism (pregnane X receptor, PXR), lipid (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, PPARγ), oxidative stress (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related 2, NRF2). By nontargeted high-resolution comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC-HRT), we tentatively identified several compounds in methanolic extracts, including oligomers, phenolic antioxidant, residues suspected antihydrolysis cross-linking additives. In follow-up bioassay, because its stated high purity, biomedical grade was tested mitigate confounding effects due chemical additives pellets; it elicited comparable acute From orthogonal complementary experiments, suggest that toxicity oligomers nanoplastics released rather than These results challenge perceived assumed inertness highlight multiple sources

Language: Английский

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Unveiling Plastifoamcrete: Composition, Characteristics, and Environmental Threats of Urban Plastic Variants

Environmental Pollution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 370, P. 125906 - 125906

Published: Feb. 22, 2025

Language: Английский

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Container Overboard in the Port of New Orleans, LA, USA

Published: March 20, 2025

Language: Английский

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Formulation Controls the Potential Neuromuscular Toxicity of Polyethylene Photoproducts in Developing Zebrafish

Environmental Science & Technology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 57(21), P. 7966 - 7977

Published: May 15, 2023

Sunlight transforms plastic into water-soluble products, the potential toxicity of which remains unresolved, particularly for vertebrate animals. We evaluated acute and gene expression in developing zebrafish larvae after 5 days exposure to photoproduced (P) dark (D) leachates from additive-free polyethylene (PE) film consumer-grade, additive-containing, conventional, recycled PE bags. Using a "worst-case" scenario, with concentrations exceeding those found natural waters, we observed no toxicity. However, at molecular level, RNA sequencing revealed differences number differentially expressed genes (DEGs) each leachate treatment: thousands (5442 P, 577 D) film, tens additive-containing conventional bag (14 7 D), none bag. Gene ontology enrichment analyses suggested that disrupted neuromuscular processes via biophysical signaling; this was most pronounced leachates. suggest fewer DEGs elicited by bags (and bags) could be due composition caused titanium dioxide-catalyzed reactions not present PE. This work demonstrates photoproducts can product formulation-specific.

Language: Английский

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Marine litter management: A sustainable action plan and recommendations for the South Asian Seas region

Marine Policy, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 157, P. 105854 - 105854

Published: Oct. 4, 2023

Language: Английский

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