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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Obesity II: Establishing causal links between chemical exposures and obesity

Biochemical Pharmacology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 199, P. 115015 - 115015

Published: April 5, 2022

Language: Английский

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The Role of Endocrine Disruptors Bisphenols and Phthalates in Obesity: Current Evidence, Perspectives and Controversies

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 25(1), P. 675 - 675

Published: Jan. 4, 2024

Excess body weight constitutes one of the major health challenges for societies and healthcare systems worldwide. Besides type diet, calorie intake lack physical exercise, recent data have highlighted a possible association between endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as bisphenol A, phthalates their analogs, obesity. EDCs represent heterogeneous group that may influence hormonal regulation mass adipose tissue morphology. Based on available from mechanistic, animal epidemiological studies including meta-analyses, evidence points towards contribution to development obesity, associated disorders obesity-related dysfunction by (1) impacting adipogenesis; (2) modulating epigenetic pathways during development, enhancing susceptibility obesity; (3) influencing neuroendocrine signals responsible appetite satiety; (4) promoting proinflammatory milieu in inducing state chronic subclinical inflammation; (5) dysregulating gut microbiome immune homeostasis; (6) thermogenic tissue. Critical periods exposure obesogenic are prenatal, neonatal, pubertal reproductive periods. Interestingly, even at low doses promote transgenerational inheritance adult obesity subsequent generations. The aim this review is summarize role EDCs, specifically BPA phthalate plasticizers, taking into account vitro, epidemiologic studies; discuss mechanisms linking analyze effects critical exposure; present interesting perspectives, preventive measures research area.

Language: Английский

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Bisphenol A (BPA) Leading to Obesity and Cardiovascular Complications: A Compilation of Current In Vivo Study

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 23(6), P. 2969 - 2969

Published: March 9, 2022

BPA is one of the most common endocrine disruptors that widely being manufactured daily nationwide. Although scientific evidence supports claims negative effects on humans, there also suggesting a low level safe. However, numerous in vivo trials contraindicate with this claim and high possibility exposure could lead to obesity. It has been speculated does not stop exposed subjects only, but may cause transgenerational effects. Direct disruption regulation, neuroimmune signaling pathways, as well gut microbiata, identified be interrupted by exposure, leading overweight or In these instances, cardiovascular complications are primary notable clinical signs. regard claim, review paper discusses role obesity perspective disruptions possible arise due BPA. Thus, aim outline changes microbiota mechanisms involved relation To identify potentially relevant articles, depth search was done databases Nature, PubMed, Wiley Online Library, Medline & Ovid from past 5 years. According Boolean operator guideline, selected keywords such (1) OR environmental chemical AND fat LDL obese phenocopy (2) Endocrine lipodystrophy (3) Lipid profile weight effect (4) gene signaling, were used terms. Upon screening, 11 articles finalized further reviewed data extraction tables containing information type animal model duration dosage lipid genes, mechanism, any signal involved, (5) created. toto, study indicates chances affecting associated lipolysis, Therefore, scoping recapitulates current trials. The biomarkers, safety concerns, recommended dosage, impact COVID-19 briefly described.

Language: Английский

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Animal Models for Studying Developmental Origins of Cardiovascular–Kidney–Metabolic Syndrome

Biomedicines, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13(2), P. 452 - 452

Published: Feb. 12, 2025

Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome (CKMS) has become a significant global health challenge. Since CKMS often originates early in life, as outlined by the developmental origins of and disease (DOHaD) concept, prevention is more effective strategy than treatment. Various animal models, classified environmental exposures or mechanisms, are used to explore CKMS. However, no single model can fully replicate all aspects its clinical stages, limiting advancement preventive therapeutic strategies. This review aims assist researchers comparing strengths limitations common models programming studies highlighting key considerations for selecting suitable models.

Language: Английский

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Natural Products in Mitigation of Bisphenol A Toxicity: Future Therapeutic Use

Molecules, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 27(17), P. 5384 - 5384

Published: Aug. 24, 2022

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous environmental toxin with deleterious endocrine-disrupting effects. It widely used in producing epoxy resins, polycarbonate plastics, and polyvinyl chloride plastics. Human beings are regularly exposed to BPA through inhalation, ingestion, topical absorption routes. The prevalence of exposure has considerably increased over the past decades. Previous research studies have found plethora evidence BPA's harmful Interestingly, even at lower concentration, this industrial product was be cellular tissue levels, affecting various body functions. noble possible treatment could made plausible by using natural products (NPs). In review, we highlight existing experimental NPs against exposure-induced adverse effects, which involve body's reproductive, neurological, hepatic, renal, cardiovascular, endocrine systems. review also focuses on targeted signaling pathways involved BPA-induced toxicity. Although potential molecular mechanisms underlying toxicity been investigated, there currently no specific for Hence, considered future therapeutic use effects exposure.

Language: Английский

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Maternal Polyphenols and Offspring Cardiovascular–Kidney–Metabolic Health

Nutrients, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(18), P. 3168 - 3168

Published: Sept. 19, 2024

The convergence of cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic disorders at the pathophysiological level has led to recognition cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, which represents a significant global health challenge. Polyphenols, group phytochemicals, have demonstrated potential health-promoting effects. This review highlights impact maternal polyphenol supplementation on CKM offspring. Initially, we summarize interconnections between polyphenols each aspect syndrome. We then discuss in vivo studies that investigated use during pregnancy breastfeeding, focusing their role preventing syndrome Additionally, explore common mechanisms underlying protective effects supplementation. Overall, this underscores early-life interventions safeguarding against It emphasizes importance continued research advance our understanding facilitate clinical translation these interventions.

Language: Английский

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Effect of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals in obesity and neurodevelopment: The genetic and microbiota link

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 852, P. 158219 - 158219

Published: Aug. 22, 2022

Language: Английский

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Research progress of the effects of bisphenol analogues on the intestine and its underlying mechanisms: A review

Environmental Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 243, P. 117891 - 117891

Published: Dec. 9, 2023

Language: Английский

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Impact of Ex Vivo Bisphenol A Exposure on Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis and Its Association with Childhood Obesity

Journal of Xenobiotics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1), P. 14 - 14

Published: Jan. 17, 2025

Dietary exposure to the plasticiser bisphenol A (BPA), an obesogenic and endocrine disruptor from plastic epoxy resin industries, remains prevalent despite regulatory restriction food safety efforts. BPA can be accumulated in humans animals, potentially exerting differential health effects based on individual metabolic capacity. This pilot study examines impact of direct ex vivo gut microbiota obese normal-weight children, using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing anaerobic culturing combined methods. Results showed that xenobiotic induced modifications microbial taxa relative abundance, community structure, diversity. Specifically, reduced abundance bacteria belonging phylum Bacteroidota, while Actinomycetota were promoted. Consistently, Bacteroides species classified as sensitive BPA, whereas class Clostridia identified resistant our culturomics analysis. Some altered bacterial patterns common for both BPA-exposed groups non-exposed group study. These findings also corroborated a larger cohort children. Future research will essential evaluate these potential biomarkers biomonitoring effect its role substance

Language: Английский

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