Chemosphere, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 339, С. 139743 - 139743
Опубликована: Авг. 9, 2023
Язык: Английский
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
Процитировано
211
Chemical Engineering Journal, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 459, С. 141568 - 141568
Опубликована: Янв. 27, 2023
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
129
Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 54(7), С. 533 - 556
Опубликована: Сен. 23, 2023
AbstractPlastic debris (including macro-plastics, microplastics (MPs), and nanoplastics), defined as an emerging contaminant, has been proven to significantly affect soil ecosystem functioning. Accordingly, there is urgent need robustly quantify the pollution situation potential sources of plastics in soils. China leading producer user agricultural analyzed a typical case study highlight current farmland macro-plastics MPs. Our summarized information on occurrence abundance MPs Chinese soils for first time based 163 publications with 728 sample sites. The results showed that average concentration farmlands were 103 kg ha−1 4537 items kg−1 (dry soil), respectively. In addition, this synthesized latest scientific evidence Agricultural plastic films organic wastes are most reported sources, indicating they contribute Furthermore, modeling methods quantifying estimating stock flow materials within systems also summarized.Keywords: Abundancefarmland soilsmacro-plasticsmicroplasticsquantitative methodsource apportionmentHANDLING EDITORS: Hyunjung Kim Jörg Rinklebe Disclosure statementThe authors report no competing interests declare.Additional informationFundingThis research was supported by National Natural Science Foundation under Grant [number 42277097]; UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) Environment Council project, "Do undermine food security sustainable development less economically developed countries?" [NE/V005871/1]; International Cooperation Exchange [NSFC-UNEP: 32261143459], High-level Team Project University.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
84
The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 880, С. 163294 - 163294
Опубликована: Апрель 6, 2023
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
76
Water Science & Technology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 87(3), С. 685 - 710
Опубликована: Янв. 25, 2023
Since wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) cannot completely remove microplastics (MPs) from wastewater, WWTPs are responsible for the release of millions MPs into environment even in 1 day. Therefore, knowing sources, properties, removal efficiencies and mechanisms is great importance management MPs. In this paper, firstly sources quantities properties (polymer type, shape, size, color) influents, effluents, sludges presented. Following this, MP efficiency different units (primary settling, flotation, biological treatment, secondary filtration-based technologies, coagulation) discussed. next section, details about critical (settling flotation tanks, bioreactors, sand filters, membrane coagulation units) given. last factors that effective adsorbing organic-inorganic pollutants to Finally, current situation research gap these areas identified suggestions provided topics need further future.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
70
Chemical Engineering Journal, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 471, С. 144495 - 144495
Опубликована: Июнь 28, 2023
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
62
Chemosphere, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 334, С. 139011 - 139011
Опубликована: Май 23, 2023
Nano/microplastic (NP/MP) pollution is a growing concern for the water environment. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are considered major recipients of MP before discharging into local waterbodies. MPs enter WWTPs mainly from synthetic fibers through washing activities and personal care products. To control prevent NP/MP pollution, it essential to have comprehensive understanding their characteristics, fragmentation mechanisms, effectiveness current processes used in removal. Therefore, objectives this study (i) understand detailed mapping WWTP, (ii) mechanisms NP, (iii) investigate removal efficiency by existing WWTP. This found that fiber dominant shape MP, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene polymer type wastewater samples. Crack propagation mechanical breakdown due shear forces induced facilities (e.g., pumping, mixing, bubbling) could be causes NP generation Conventional ineffective complete MPs. Although these capable removing ∼95% MPs, they tend accumulate sludge. Thus, significant number may still released environment on daily basis. suggested using DAF process primary unit can an effective strategy initial stage goes secondary tertiary stage.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
52
The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 896, С. 165201 - 165201
Опубликована: Июль 3, 2023
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
46
Environmental Pollution, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 368, С. 125722 - 125722
Опубликована: Янв. 17, 2025
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in river and freshwater ecosystems. However, the hydraulic hydrological mechanisms that regulate activation emissions of MPs from both land surface subsurface into rivers not well understood. This study aims to quantify instream MP concentration load a remote headwater catchment (Taff Bargoed, Wales UK), which drains UK's largest opencast coal mine (Ffos-y-fran), over two-year period. Small fibers (< 1 mm) composed acrylic polyester dominated sampled Taff while less commonly observed fragments were mostly polysulfone. River concentrations ranged 0.27 - 28.87 MP/m³ (average: 14.6 ± 10.31 MP/m³), one order magnitude 0.08 3.04 MP/s (average:1.42 0.81 MP/s). Statistically significant relationships found between concentration, number dry weather hours discharge, indicated rainfall-runoff induced, source limited, dilution effects on concentration. A negligible relationship discharge was observed, suggests variability independent flow conditions, hours, Bargoed. Significant positive total suspended solids also indicating this may provide useful proxy for estimating variation No longitudinal 2 km reach where differences drainage area negligible, however, increased by factor 4 downstream an inflowing tributary, sourced Ffos-y-fran mine. Overall, results evidence mining activities can contribute rural rivers, with their contribution being regulated processes catchment.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
2
The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 861, С. 160665 - 160665
Опубликована: Дек. 5, 2022
Water treatment plants' effluents are hotspots of microplastics (MPs) and microfibres (MFs) released into the aquatic environment because they were not designed to capture these particles. Special attention should be given MFs, since mainly come from laundry related one main MP shapes detected in water wastewater plants. In this sense, Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) could a feasible solution for tackling MF pollution, however, it is still premature extract conclusions due limited number studies on degradation particles (specifically MFs) using AOPs. This review addresses impacts AOPs MPs/MFs, focusing their efficiency, toxicity, sustainability processes, among other aspects. The points out that polyamide MFs can achieve mass loss >90% by photocatalytic system TiO2. Also, low oxidation MPs (<30 %) conventional Fenton process affects surface MPs. However, Fenton-based processes provide better removal some types MPs, temperatures >100 °C, reaction time ≥ 5 h, initial pH ≤ 3, achieving weight up 96 %. Despite results, operating conditions required ones reported so far full-scale application. Additionally, ozonation plants has increased fragmentation (including MFs), leading new generation More needed toxicity effects intermediates methods analysis employed MPs/MFs effluent standardized compared effectively. Future research focus AOP (power consumption, chemicals consumed operational costs) understanding applicability adapted treatment.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
69