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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Coronas of micro/nano plastics: a key determinant in their risk assessments

Particle and Fibre Toxicology, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 19(1)

Опубликована: Авг. 6, 2022

Abstract As an emerging pollutant in the life cycle of plastic products, micro/nanoplastics (M/NPs) are increasingly being released into natural environment. Substantial concerns have been raised regarding environmental and health impacts M/NPs. Although diverse M/NPs detected environment, most them display two similar features, i.e.,high surface area strong binding affinity, which enable extensive interactions between surrounding substances. This results formation coronas, including eco-coronas bio-coronas, on different media. In real exposure scenarios, corona is inevitable often displays variable complex structures. The coronas found to impact transportation, uptake, distribution, biotransformation toxicity particulates. Different from conventional toxins, packages rather than bare particles more dangerous. We, therefore, recommend seriously consideration role safety assessments. review summarizes recent progress eco–coronas bio-coronas M/NPs, further discusses analytical methods interpret structures, highlights provides future perspectives.

Язык: Английский

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Microplastics induce neurotoxicity in aquatic animals at environmentally realistic concentrations: A meta-analysis

Environmental Pollution, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 318, С. 120939 - 120939

Опубликована: Дек. 26, 2022

Язык: Английский

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Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) physiological response to microplastics and enrofloxacin: Novel pathways to investigate microplastic synergistic effects on pharmaceuticals

Aquatic Toxicology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 261, С. 106627 - 106627

Опубликована: Июнь 29, 2023

Enrofloxacin (ENR) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic widely used due to its efficacy against pathogens. Microplastics (MPs) may bind ENR and reduce efficiency, whereas there would be an increase in toxicity, bioavailability, bio-accumulation rates. Therefore, the hypothesis that interaction between MPs can alter their toxicity bioavailability. The subjective of this study examine various concentrations (0, 1.35, 2.7 ml Kg-1 diet) 1000, 2000 mg alone combination for 21 days. rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) economic aquaculture species as experimental model ecotoxicology studies. Blood biochemical analytes indicated led increasing enzymatic activity each biomarker, except gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT). Alterations related triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose, urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin blood contents were observed. An elevation levels superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) was found liver. In contrast, catalase (CAT) glutathione peroxidase (GPx) decreased. Furthermore, decline observed cellular antioxidant (ANT) levels. These findings suggested could affect fish health both independently together. Consequently, determined when present high concentrations, amplified, providing further evidence synergistic impact on toxicity.

Язык: Английский

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Plastic waste impact and biotechnology: Exploring polymer degradation, microbial role, and sustainable development implications

Bioresource Technology Reports, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 24, С. 101606 - 101606

Опубликована: Авг. 28, 2023

The significant impact of plastic waste on ecosystems has raised concerns regarding its detrimental effects. This review examines the various types synthetic and degradable plastics explores physiochemical properties polymers during degradation. It delves into management waste, considering both abiotic biotic degradation mechanisms. Biotic degradation, including aerobic anaerobic pathways, is also examined, with a specific focus role microorganisms their enzymes in facilitating biodegradation. further biotechnological implications management, gene manipulation, genetic modification, potential biotechnology. emphasizes importance transitioning toward circular economy highlights alignment these efforts sustainable development goals (SDGs). Overall, this provides insights environment, mechanisms, discusses approaches practices aimed at addressing challenges posed by waste.

Язык: Английский

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Polyethylene nanoparticles at environmentally relevant concentrations enhances neurotoxicity and accumulation of 6-PPD quinone in Caenorhabditis elegans

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 918, С. 170760 - 170760

Опубликована: Фев. 6, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Toxicological review of micro- and nano-plastics in aquatic environments: Risks to ecosystems, food web dynamics and human health

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 278, С. 116426 - 116426

Опубликована: Май 8, 2024

The increase of micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) in aquatic environments has become a significant concern due to their potential toxicological effects on ecosystems, food web dynamics, human health. These plastic particles emerge from range sources, such as the breakdown larger waste, consumer products, industrial outputs. This review provides detailed report transmission dangers MNPs environmental behavior, interactions within webs, emphasizing toxic impact marine life. It explores relationship between particle size toxicity, distribution different tissues, process trophic transfer through web. MNPs, once consumed, can be found various organs, including digestive system, gills, liver. Their consumption by lower level organisms facilitates progression up chain, potentially leading bioaccumulation biomagnification, thereby posing substantial risks health, reproduction, behavior species. work also how persistence bioaccumulation, pose biodiversity disrupt relationships. addresses implications for particularly contaminated seafood, highlighting direct indirect pathways which humans are exposed these pollutants. Furthermore, highlights recommendations future research directions, integration ecological, toxicological, health studies inform risk assessments develop mitigation strategies address global challenge pollution environments.

Язык: Английский

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Negative impacts of nanoplastics on the purification function of submerged plants in constructed wetlands: Responses of oxidative stress and metabolic processes

Water Research, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 227, С. 119339 - 119339

Опубликована: Ноя. 8, 2022

Язык: Английский

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A growing crisis for One Health: Impacts of plastic pollution across layers of biological function

Frontiers in Marine Science, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 9

Опубликована: Ноя. 2, 2022

The global accumulation of plastic waste has reached crisis levels. diverse and multilayered impacts on biological health prompts an evaluation these effects from a One Health perspective, through which the complexity processes can be integrated more clearly understood. Plastic particles ranging nanometers to meters in size are found throughout every ecosystem Earth, deepest marine trenches highest mountains. affects all layers organization, molecular cellular organismal, community, ecosystem-levels. These not only mediated by physical properties plastics, but also chemical polymers, thousands additives combined with plastics during manufacturing, sorbed chemicals microbes that transported waste. Using framework we provide overview following themes: 1) ways across levels 2) how interact between biology, 3) what knowledge gaps exist understanding within scales. We propose potential solutions address this growing crisis, emphasis perspectives consider oneness animals, humans, environment.

Язык: Английский

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Polyethylene nanoplastics cause reproductive toxicity associated with activation of both estrogenic hormone receptor NHR-14 and DNA damage checkpoints in C. elegans

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 906, С. 167471 - 167471

Опубликована: Сен. 29, 2023

Язык: Английский

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