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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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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Microplastics in the environment: A critical overview on its fate, toxicity, implications, management, and bioremediation strategies

Journal of Environmental Management, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 349, С. 119433 - 119433

Опубликована: Окт. 27, 2023

Язык: 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, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 459, С. 141568 - 141568

Опубликована: Янв. 27, 2023

Язык: Английский

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Oligomer nanoparticle release from polylactic acid plastics catalysed by gut enzymes triggers acute inflammation

Nature Nanotechnology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 18(4), С. 403 - 411

Опубликована: Март 2, 2023

Язык: Английский

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The soil plastisphere

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 22(2), С. 64 - 74

Опубликована: Сен. 11, 2023

Язык: Английский

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Microplastic materials in the environment: Problem and strategical solutions

Progress in Materials Science, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 132, С. 101035 - 101035

Опубликована: Окт. 19, 2022

Язык: Английский

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Microplastics may increase the environmental risks of Cd via promoting Cd uptake by plants: A meta-analysis

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 448, С. 130887 - 130887

Опубликована: Янв. 30, 2023

Microplastics (MPs) and cadmium (Cd) are widely distributed in soil ecosystems, posing a potential threat to agricultural production human health. However, the coupled effects of MPs Cd soil-plant systems remain largely unknown, especially on large scale. In this study, meta-analysis was conducted evaluate influence plant growth accumulation under contamination conditions. Our results showed that had significantly negative shoot biomass (a decrease 11.8 %) root 8.79 %). also increased shoots roots by 14.6 % 13.5 %, respectively, revealing promote uptake. Notably, polyethylene displayed stronger promoting effect (an increase 29.4 among these MP types. induced (9.75 concentration available slight pH, which may be main driver addition posed physiological toxicity risks plants inhibiting photosynthesis enhancing oxidative damage, directly demonstrating combination with can pose synergetic plants. We further noted altered microbial diversity, likely influencing bioavailability systems. Overall, our study has important implications for combined impacts provides new insights into developing guidelines sustainable use agriculture.

Язык: Английский

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Recent advances on the transport of microplastics/nanoplastics in abiotic and biotic compartments

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 438, С. 129515 - 129515

Опубликована: Июль 2, 2022

Язык: Английский

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Characterizing microplastic hazards: which concentration metrics and particle characteristics are most informative for understanding toxicity in aquatic organisms?

Microplastics and Nanoplastics, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 2(1)

Опубликована: Авг. 6, 2022

Abstract There is definitive evidence that microplastics, defined as plastic particles less than 5 mm in size, are ubiquitous the environment and can cause harm to aquatic organisms. These findings have prompted legislators environmental regulators seek out strategies for managing risk. However, microplastics also an incredibly diverse contaminant suite, comprising a complex mixture of physical chemical characteristics (e.g., sizes, morphologies, polymer types, additives, sorbed chemicals, impurities), making it challenging identify which particle might influence associated hazards life. In addition, there lack consensus on how microplastic concentrations should be reported. This not only makes difficult compare across studies, but begs question concentration metric may most informative hazard characterization. Thus, international panel experts was convened 1) metrics mass or count per unit volume mass) development health-based thresholds risk assessment 2) best inform toxicological concerns. Based existing knowledge, recommended toxicity tests calculated from both at minimum, though ideally researchers report additional metrics, such surface area, more specific mechanisms. Regarding characteristics, sufficient conclude size critical determinant outcomes, particularly mechanisms food dilution tissue translocation .

Язык: Английский

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