The Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health

Annals of Global Health, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 89(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 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.

Язык: Английский

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Detection and characterization of microplastics in the human testis and semen

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 877, С. 162713 - 162713

Опубликована: Март 21, 2023

Язык: Английский

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Pigment microparticles and microplastics found in human thrombi based on Raman spectral evidence

Journal of Advanced Research, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 49, С. 141 - 150

Опубликована: Сен. 15, 2022

Environmental microparticle is becoming a global pollutant and the entire population increasingly exposed to microparticles from artificial materials. The accumulation of including microplastics its subsequent effects need be investigated timely keep sustainable development human society.This study aimed explore environmental particles in thrombus, pathological structure blood circulation system.Patients receiving cardiovascular surgical operations were screened twenty-six thrombi collected, digested filtered. Non-soluble enriched on filter membrane then analyzed identified with Raman Spectrometer. associations particle status (presence or absence) number thrombus clinical indicators examined. One strict quality control-particle detection system was designed eliminate contaminations.Among thrombi, sixteen contained eighty-seven ranging 2.1 26.0 μm size. each ranged one fifteen median reaching five. All found irregularly block-shaped. Totally, twenty-one phthalocyanine particles, Hostasol-Green particle, low-density polyethylene microplastic, which synthetic materials, thrombi. rest included iron compounds metallic oxides. After adjustment for potential confounders, significantly positive association between platelet levels detected (P < 0.01).This provides first photograph spectrum evidence A large non-soluble material could accumulate arteries, suggesting that risk exposure under-estimated re-evaluation health urgently needed. There will series reports assessing humans future this research provided clues research.

Язык: Английский

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Potential Health Impact of Microplastics: A Review of Environmental Distribution, Human Exposure, and Toxic Effects

Environment & Health, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 1(4), С. 249 - 257

Опубликована: Авг. 10, 2023

Microplastics are ubiquitous in the global environment. As a typical emerging pollutant, its potential health hazards have been widely concerning. In this brief paper, we introduce source, identification, toxicity, and hazard of microplastics human. The literature review shows that frequently detected environmental human samples. Humans potentially exposed to through oral intake, inhalation, skin contact. We summarize toxic effects experimental models like cells, organoids, animals. These consist oxidative stress, DNA damage, organ dysfunction, metabolic disorder, immune response, neurotoxicity, as well reproductive developmental toxicity. addition, epidemiological evidence suggests variety chronic diseases may be related exposure. Finally, put forward gaps toxicity research their future development directions. This will helpful understanding exposure risk microplastics.

Язык: Английский

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Microplastics in environment: global concern, challenges, and controlling measures

International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 20(4), С. 4673 - 4694

Опубликована: Май 26, 2022

Язык: Английский

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Environment of Peace: Security in a New Era of Risk

Опубликована: Апрель 29, 2022

The environmental crisis is increasing risks to security and peace worldwide, notably in countries that are already fragile. Indicators of insecurity such as the number conflicts, hungry people military expenditure rising; so indicators decline, climate change, biodiversity, pollution other areas. In combination, crises creating compound, cascading, emergent, systemic existential risks. Without profound changes approach by institutions authority, will inevitably proliferate quickly. Environment Peace surveys evolving risk landscape documents a developments indicate pathway solutions––in international law policy, peacekeeping operations among non-governmental organizations. It finds two principal avenues need be developed: (a) combining peace-building restoration, (b) effectively addressing underlying issues. also analyses potential existing emerging pro-environment measures for exacerbating security. findings demonstrate only just peaceful transitions more sustainable practices can effective––and show these rapid.

Язык: Английский

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First Evidence of Microplastics in Human Urine, a Preliminary Study of Intake in the Human Body

Toxics, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 11(1), С. 40 - 40

Опубликована: Дек. 30, 2022

The ubiquitous presence of microplastics (MPs) and their health effects is a recent scientific topic. However, the investigation MPs in human/biological matrices has several limitations due to analytical methods sample treatment protocols. In this study, urine samples six volunteers from different cities south Italy (three men three women) was investigated by Raman microspectroscopy. analysis pinpointed four pigmented microplastic fragments (4-15 μm size), with irregular shapes, which were characterized terms morphology chemical composition. Polyethylene vinyl acetate (PVA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) found (PVA PVC one female PP PE male samples). This preliminary study suggests that could pass through gastrointestinal tract are eliminated biological processes.

Язык: Английский

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Twenty years of microplastics pollution research—what have we learned?

Science, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 386(6720)

Опубликована: Сен. 19, 2024

Twenty years after the first publication that used term microplastic, we review current understanding, refine definitions, and consider future prospects. Microplastics arise from multiple sources, including tires, textiles, cosmetics, paint, fragmentation of larger items. They are widely distributed throughout natural environment, with evidence harm at levels biological organization. pervasive in food drink have been detected human body, emerging negative effects. Environmental contamination could double by 2040, wide-scale has predicted. Public concern is increasing, diverse measures to address microplastic pollution being considered international negotiations. Clear on efficacy potential solutions now needed issue minimize risks unintended consequences.

Язык: Английский

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Effects of plastic residues and microplastics on soil ecosystems: A global meta-analysis

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 435, С. 129065 - 129065

Опубликована: Май 5, 2022

Язык: Английский

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From natural environment to animal tissues: A review of microplastics(nanoplastics) translocation and hazards studies

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 855, С. 158686 - 158686

Опубликована: Сен. 10, 2022

Язык: Английский

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