The plastic health map: A systematic evidence map of human health studies on plastic-associated chemicals

• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108225
• Publication Date: 2023-10-10T00:08:50Z
• Authors: Bhedita J Seewoo; Louise M Goodes; Louise Mofflin; Yannick R Mulders; Enoch VS Wong; Priyanka Toshniwal; Manuel Brunner; Jennifer Alex; Brady Johnston; Ahmed Elagali; Aleksandra Gozt; Greg Lyle; Omrik Choudhury; Terena Solomons; Christos Symeonides; Sarah A Dunlop
• Keywords: Microplastics; Plastic; 3. Good health; Exposure; Environmental sciences; Plastic chemicals; 13. Climate action; Health; Plasticizers; Systematic evidence map; Humans; GE1-350; 10. No inequality; Human; Flame Retardants

The global production and use of plastic materials has increased dramatically since the 1960s there is increasing evidence human health impacts related to exposure plastic-associated chemicals. There is, however, no comprehensive, regulatory, post-market monitoring for effects chemicals or particles it unclear how many these have been investigated in humans, therefore what knowledge gaps are.To create a systematic map peer-reviewed studies investigating potential particles/chemicals on identify research provide recommendations future regulation policy.Medline Embase databases were used primary published English from Jan 1960 - 2022 that relationships between exposures included measured detected bio-samples outcomes. Plastic-associated are: micro nanoplastics, due their widespread occurrence exposure; polymers, main building blocks plastic; plasticizers flame retardants, two most common types additives with highest concentration ranges materials; bisphenols per- polyfluoroalkyl substances, chemical classes known concern are plastics. We extracted metadata population study characteristics (country, intergenerational, sex, age, general/special risk status, design), (plastic-associated particle/chemical, multiple exposures), outcome measures (biochemical, physiological, and/or clinical), which we produced interactive database 'Plastic Health Map' narrative summary.We identified 100,949 unique articles, 3,587 met our inclusion criteria map. Plastic Map freely available at https://osf.io/fhw7d/ summary tables, plots overall observations this report.We present first compiling wide range several different classes, order stakeholders, including researchers, regulators, concerned individuals, an efficient way access literature matter determine gaps. also examples data clusters facilitate reviews help direct efforts. Extensive breadth populations, outcomes addressed No nanoplastics found, found 26/1,202 search hazard confirmed be active production. Few recent "substitution" restricted such as organophosphate phthalate substitutes, bisphenol analogues. call paradigm shift whereby new rigorously tested safety before being introduced consumer products, ongoing post-introduction biomonitoring levels humans throughout individuals' life span, old age across generations.