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 potential impacts of micro-and-nano plastics on various organ systems in humans

EBioMedicine, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 99, P. 104901 - 104901

Published: Dec. 6, 2023

Humans are exposed to micro-and-nano plastics (MNPs) through various routes, but the adverse health effects of MNPs on different organ systems not yet fully understood. This review aims provide an overview potential impacts and identify knowledge gaps in current research. The summarized results suggest that exposure can lead oxidative stress, inflammation, immune dysfunction, altered biochemical energy metabolism, impaired cell proliferation, disrupted microbial metabolic pathways, abnormal development, carcinogenicity. There is limited human data MNPs, despite evidence from animal cellular studies. Most published research has focused specific types assess their toxicity, while other plastic particles commonly found environment remain unstudied. Future studies should investigate by considering realistic concentrations, dose-dependent effects, individual susceptibility, confounding factors.

Language: Английский

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Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) as emerging pollutant in ground water: Environmental impact, potential risks, limitations and way forward towards sustainable management

Chemical Engineering Journal, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 459, P. 141568 - 141568

Published: Jan. 27, 2023

Language: Английский

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First evidence of microplastics isolated in European citizens’ lower airway

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 438, P. 129439 - 129439

Published: June 23, 2022

Microplastics (MPs) have been detected in all environmental locations, including the atmosphere. However, few studies investigated presence of airborne MPs human respiratory system. Our research purpose was to investigate these pollutants lower airways 44 adult European citizens, using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) collection as a minimally invasive method, that enables detection living patients. We studied relationship between patients' life habits and physiological parameters, based on background information medical occupational history, concentration isolated from their systems. results indicate most were form microfibers (MFs) (97.06%), with an average 9.18 ± 2.45 items/100 mL BALF, only 5.88% (0.57 0.27 BALF) particulate MPs, without significant environmental, physiological, or clinical factors. The size 1.73 0.15 mm, longest dimension (9.96 mm) corresponding polyacrylic fiber. Taken together, demonstrated occurrence airway, although more are necessary elucidate negative effects could induce system its associated diseases.

Language: Английский

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Recent insights into uptake, toxicity, and molecular targets of microplastics and nanoplastics relevant to human health impacts

iScience, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 26(2), P. 106061 - 106061

Published: Jan. 28, 2023

Microplastics and nanoplastics (M-NPLs) are ubiquitous environmentally, chemically, or mechanically degraded plastic particles. Humans exposed to M-NPLs of various sizes types through inhalation contaminated air, ingestion water food, other routes. It is estimated that Americans ingest tens thousands millions particles yearly, depending on socioeconomic status, age, gender. have spurred interest in toxicology because their abundance, nature, ability penetrate bodily cellular barriers, producing toxicological effects cells, tissues, organs, organ systems. The present review paper highlights: (1) current knowledge understanding the detrimental mouse models human cell lines, (2) organelle localization M-NPLs, underlying uptake mechanisms focusing endocytosis, (3) possible pathways involved toxicity, particularly reactive oxygen species, nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related 2 (NRF2), Wnt/β-Catenin, Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-kB)-regulated inflammation, apoptosis, autophagy signaling. We also highlight potential role increasing incubation time, spread, transport COVID-19 virus. Finally, we discuss future prospects this field.

Language: Английский

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Airborne microplastics: Occurrence, sources, fate, risks and mitigation

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 858, P. 159943 - 159943

Published: Nov. 7, 2022

Language: Английский

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PHA-Based Bioplastic: a Potential Alternative to Address Microplastic Pollution

Water Air & Soil Pollution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 234(1)

Published: Dec. 29, 2022

Language: Английский

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Microplastics in human samples: Recent advances, hot-spots, and analytical challenges

TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 161, P. 117016 - 117016

Published: March 11, 2023

Language: Английский

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From oceans to dinner plates: The impact of microplastics on human health

Heliyon, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9(10), P. e20440 - e20440

Published: Sept. 26, 2023

Microplastics, measuring less than 5 mm in diameter, are now found various environmental media, including soil, water, and air, have infiltrated the food chain, ultimately becoming a part of human diet. This study offers comprehensive examination intricate nexus between microplastics health, thereby contributing to existing knowledge on subject. Sources microplastics, microfibers from textiles, personal care products, wastewater treatment plants, among others, were assessed. The meticulously examined diverse routes microplastic exposure—ingestion, inhalation, dermal contact—offering insights into associated health risks. Notably, ingestion has been linked gastrointestinal disturbances, endocrine disruption, potential transmission pathogenic bacteria. Inhalation airborne emerges as critical concern, with possible implications for respiratory cardiovascular health. Dermal contact, although explored, raises prospect skin irritation allergic reactions. impacts COVID-19 pollution also highlighted. Throughout manuscript, need deeper mechanistic understanding interactions systems is emphasized, underscoring urgency further research public awareness.

Language: Английский

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Microplastics in Australian indoor air: Abundance, characteristics, and implications for human exposure

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 889, P. 164292 - 164292

Published: May 20, 2023

Studies on airborne microplastics (AMPs) have reported higher abundance of AMPs in indoor air compared to outdoors. Most people spend more time indoors outdoors, and it is therefore important identify quantify understand human exposure AMPs. This can vary among different individuals as they their locations activity levels, thus experience breathing rates. In this study, ranging from 20 5000 μm were sampled across sites Southeast Queensland using an active sampling technique. The highest MP concentration was observed at the childcare site (2.25 ± 0.38 particles/m3), followed by office (1.20 0.14 particles/m3) a school (1.03 0.40 particles/m3). lowest inside vehicle (0.20 comparable outdoor concentrations. only shapes fibers (98 %) fragments. ranged 71 4950 length. Polyethylene terephthalate prominent polymer type most sites. Using our measured concentrations inhaled concentrations, we calculated annual levels scenario-specific levels. Males between ages 18 64 AMP 3187 594 particles/year, males ≥65 years 2978 628 particles/year. 1928 549 for females 5 17. study provides first report various types where time. Considering acute, chronic, industrial, individual susceptibility, detailed inhalation should be estimated realistic appraisal health risk, including how much particles are exhaled. Limited research exists occurrence associated reports

Language: Английский

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