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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Treatment processes to eliminate potential environmental hazards and restore agronomic value of sewage sludge: A review

Environmental Pollution, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 293, С. 118564 - 118564

Опубликована: Ноя. 24, 2021

Язык: Английский

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A review of atmospheric microplastics pollution: In-depth sighting of sources, analytical methods, physiognomies, transport and risks

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 822, С. 153339 - 153339

Опубликована: Янв. 22, 2022

Язык: Английский

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Automated machine learning-based prediction of microplastics induced impacts on methane production in anaerobic digestion

Water Research, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 223, С. 118975 - 118975

Опубликована: Авг. 14, 2022

Язык: Английский

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Microplastic contamination in sewage sludge: Abundance, characteristics, and impacts on the environment and human health

Environmental Technology & Innovation, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 31, С. 103176 - 103176

Опубликована: Апрель 30, 2023

This literature review addresses the presence of plastic in domestic wastewater, an increasingly important facet widespread use and its detrimental effects on environment, with a focus microplastics (MPs) sewage sludge their implications for circular economy. Extensive research has been conducted occurrence MPs wastewater treatment plants. Sewage is byproduct such plants that are widely used agricultural other sectors but may contain emerging contaminants, including MPs, can pose significant risk to environment. The highlights high concentrations underscores need appropriate disposal methods prevent soil contamination. also detrimentally interact as heavy metals organophosphate esters. While extraction technologies exist remove from implementation subject technical economic considerations. Future should optimization efficacy these ensure safe management. Given levels contaminants found sludge, it crucial implement enable sustainable disposal. By acknowledging challenges developing solutions, we mitigate environmental impacts promote waste management practices.

Язык: Английский

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Microplastics in agricultural soils: A comprehensive perspective on occurrence, environmental behaviors and effects

Chemical Engineering Journal, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 489, С. 151328 - 151328

Опубликована: Апрель 16, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Sludge-based biochar preparation: pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis methods, improvements, and environmental applications

Fuel, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 373, С. 132265 - 132265

Опубликована: Июнь 28, 2024

The pyrolysis of sewage sludge to produce biochar is a promising method for end-treatment. Key parameters influencing properties include temperature, heat transfer rate, residence time, additives, and raw material types. Sludge-based (SBC) features porous structure, aromatic compound composition, high absorbency, stable chemical properties, large specific surface area, numerous functional groups, making it suitable environmental applications such as soil remediation water quality improvement. However, SBC alone can pose risk due excessive heavy metal content. Co-pyrolysis biomass with has been shown mitigate this by fixing metals reducing their accumulation in biochar. Research indicates that co-pyrolysis produces superior including larger better pore more greater pollutant adsorption capacity compared alone. Thus, sludge-biomass significant potential overcome the limitations single sludge-based biochar, facilitating large-scale production application management.

Язык: Английский

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Review of microplastics and chemical risk posed by plastic packaging on the marine environment to inform the Global Plastic Treaty

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 946, С. 174000 - 174000

Опубликована: Июнь 18, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Microplastics removal in wastewater treatment plants: A review of the different approaches to limit their release in the environment

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 930, С. 172675 - 172675

Опубликована: Апрель 25, 2024

In last 10 years, the interest about presence of microplastics (MPs) in environment has strongly grown. Wastewaters function as a carrier for MPs contamination from source to aquatic environment, so knowledge fate this emerging contaminant wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is priority. This work aims review influent (WW) and effectiveness treatments conventional WWTPs. Moreover, negative impacts on management processes have been also discussed. The focuses possible approaches tackle enhancing Based literature results, despite WWTPs are not designed removal WW, they can effectively remove (up 99 % some references). Nevertheless, normally act "hotspots" considering remaining concentration WWTPs' effluents be several orders magnitude higher than receiving waters. removed WW concentrated sewage sludge (potentially >65 entering WWTP) posing concern case potential reuse soil improver. present paradigm shift intending key barriers environmental protection. Approaches increasing against discussed order define optimal point(s) WWTP which these technologies should located. need future legislation water

Язык: Английский

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Microplastics in Wastewater and Drinking Water Treatment Plants: Occurrence and Removal of Microfibres

Applied Sciences, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 11(21), С. 10109 - 10109

Опубликована: Окт. 28, 2021

Microplastics (MPs), and specifically microfibres (MPFs), are ubiquitous in water bodies, including wastewater drinking water. In this work, a thorough literature review on the occurrence removal of MPs, MPFs WWTPs DWTPs, has been carried out. When is treated, an average microfiber efficiency over 70% achieved DWTPs. These high percentages still inefficient for avoiding presence large number treated also tap RSF, DAF, oxidation ditch CAS processes have described as most efficient treatments eliminating from treatment. It remarkable wide range data reported topic; example, contains between not detected 347 MPFs/L, whereas 168 MPFs/L. Microfibres constitute more than half MPs found sewage sludge, DWTP effluents percentage around 32%. Nevertheless, relative amount notably higher (71%). discharged to environment, being source MP pollution. Additionally, released by DWTPs directly enter lines, which direct route human consumption, so that it estimated adult may ingest value 7500 per year only via Thus, provides update performance removing water, issue great interest.

Язык: Английский

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