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Plastic Pollution: A Perspective on Matters Arising: Challenges and Opportunities

2021; American Chemical Society; Volume: 6; Issue: 30 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1021/acsomega.1c02760

2470-1343

Austine Ofondu Chinomso Iroegbu, Suprakas Sinha Ray, Vuyelwa Mbarane, João C. Bordado, José P. Sardinha,

Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals

Plastic pollution is a persistent challenge worldwide with the first reports evidencing its impact on the living and nonliving components of the environment dating back more than half a century. The rising concerns regarding the immediate and long-term consequences of plastic matter entrainment into foods and water cannot be overemphasized in light of our pursuit of sustainability (in terms of food, water, environment, and our health). Hence, some schools of thought recommend the revisitation and continuous assessment of the plastic economy, while some call for the outright ban of plastic materials, demonstrating that plastic pollution requires, more than ever, renewed, innovative, and effective approaches for a holistic solution. In this paper, dozens of reports on various aspects of plastic pollution assessment are collated and reviewed, and the impact of plastic pollution on both the living and nonliving components of the environment is discussed. Current challenges and factors hindering efforts to mitigate plastic pollution are identified to inform the presented recommendations while underscoring, for policymakers, stakeholders, and the scientific community, the exigency of finding sustainable solutions to plastic pollution that not only encompass existing challenges but also future threats presented by plastic pollution.