Increased plastic pollution due to COVID-19 pandemic: Challenges and recommendations
Increased plastic pollution due to COVID-19 pandemic: Challenges and recommendations
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DOI：
10.1016/j.cej.2020.126683
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发表时间：
2021-02-01
影响因子：
15.1
通讯作者：
Rocha-Santos, Teresa
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Silva, Ana L. Patricio;Prata, Joana C.;Rocha-Santos, Teresa
塑料已经成为对自然生态系统和人类健康的严重跨界威胁，研究预测，到2030年，塑料碎片(包括微米和纳米塑料)的数量将增加两倍。然而，由于新冠肺炎大流行，一次性塑料(包括口罩和手套等个人防护用品)的过度使用和消费可能会加剧这种预测。本次综述旨在综合考虑短期和长期情景，全面概述新冠肺炎对大型塑料污染的影响及其对环境和人类健康的潜在影响；应对主要挑战，并讨论克服这些挑战的潜在战略。它强调，未来的措施，无论是否涉及紧急健康危机，都应该反映出公共健康和环境安全之间的平衡，因为它们无疑是相互关联的。尽管塑料的使用和消费极大地改善了我们的生活质量，但转向可持续的替代品是至关重要的，例如生物基塑料。塑料应该继续在欧洲和全世界的政治议程中处于首要地位，不仅是为了将塑料泄漏和污染降至最低，而且是为了促进可持续增长，并刺激绿色和蓝色经济。关于这一专题的讨论，特别是考虑到过度使用塑料的问题，应该很快在科学界、塑料生产商和政治家的参与下开始，以便为不久的将来做好准备。
Plastics have become a severe transboundary threat to natural ecosystems and human health, with studies predicting a twofold increase in the number of plastic debris (including micro and nano-sized plastics) by 2030. However, such predictions will likely be aggravated by the excessive use and consumption of single-use plastics (including personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves) due to COVID-19 pandemic. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview on the effects of COVID-19 on macroplastic pollution and its potential implications on the environment and human health considering shortand long-term scenarios; addressing the main challenges and discussing potential strategies to overcome them. It emphasises that future measures, involved in an emergent health crisis or not, should reflect a balance between public health and environmental safety as they are both undoubtedly connected. Although the use and consumption of plastics significantly improved our quality of life, it is crucial to shift towards sustainable alternatives, such as bio-based plastics. Plastics should remain in the top of the political agenda in Europe and across the world, not only to minimise plastic leakage and pollution, but to promote sustainable growth and to stimulate both green and blueeconomies. Discussions on this topic, particularly considering the excessive use of plastic, should start soon with the involvement of the scientific community, plastic producers and politicians in order to be prepared for the near future.