Microplastics in Latin America and the Caribbean: A review on current status and perspectives

Orona-Návar, Carolina; García-Morales, Raúl; Loge, Frank J.; Mahlknecht, Jürgen; Aguilar-Hernández, Iris; Ornelas‐Soto, Nancy

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114698

Cited by 46 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 136 publications

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“…These studies focused on macroplastics, while MP studies in Peru are lacking comprehensive chemical analyzes. Despite the analytical barriers perceived by researchers in developing countries (Orona‐Návar et al., 2022), MPs studies must seek international collaborations and long‐term funding to investigate the smallest MP fractions from a chemical‐analytical perspective.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pollution by microplastic in highly crowded sandy beaches in Lima, Peru

Santillán

Dioses-Salinas

Pretell

et al. 2023

Environmental Quality Mgmt

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Plastic accumulation in coastal areas is a worldwide concern and Peruvian beaches are not exceptions. We visited three sandy beaches in Lima, Peru in spring 2019 and summer 2020, those were San Pedro, Costa Azul, and Las Conchitas. We collected sand to test microplastics (MP) occurrence and characterization. Fragments and fibers were the most common particle, FTIR spectrometry indicated evidence of polypropylene and polyethylene of low and high‐density. The abundance of MP was not the same in the three beaches; San Pedro presented the lowest abundance and Costa Azul the highest. MP occurred in both seasons, however, there was a decrease in summer, among the three beaches, the reduction in Costa Azul was not significant. MP decrease in summer is vinculated by cleaning campaigns to welcome visitors for the summer season. However, that procedure seems not relevant in Costa Azul because maintained a high pollution level. Synergy with other human activities occurs, like fisheries in San Pedro and Las Conchitas and informal dumps in Costa Azul. Our research describes the pollution of microplastics in three important and crowded beaches during summer. Our information provides a baseline about the beach condition mainly related to microplastic pollution and the effectiveness of environmental measures like cleaning campaigns.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pollution by microplastic in highly crowded sandy beaches in Lima, Peru

Santillán

Dioses-Salinas

Pretell

et al. 2023

Environmental Quality Mgmt

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“…The critical and primary concern for outdoor pollutants in LAC is microplastics which have been reported to facilitate the spread of disease within the region, as found by (Amato-Lourenço et al ., 2022). In the LAC region, approximately 17,000 tons of plastic wastes are disposed of in open dumpsites daily (Orona-Návar et al ., 2022). These plastics eventually degrade to microplastics and infiltrate waterways, livestock, produce, and air.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indoor and outdoor air pollutants as emerging public health threat in Latin America and the Caribbean: a systematic review

Husaini

Manzur²,

Medrano³

2023

AGJSR

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PurposeThis systematic review examined the emerging threat of indoor and outdoor pollutants to public health in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).Design/methodology/approachPollutants and pollution levels are becoming an increasing cause for concern within the LAC region, primarily because of the rapid increase in urbanization and the use of fossil fuels. The rise in indoor and outdoor air pollutants impacts public health, and there are limited regional studies on the impact of these pollutants and how they affect public health. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, EBSCOhost, Web of Science and ScienceDirect databases. Significant search terms included “indoor air pollution,” “outdoor air pollution,” “pollution,” “Latin America,” “Central America,” “South America” and “Caribbean was used.” The systematic review utilized the Rayyan systematic software for uploading and sorting study references.FindingsDatabase searches produced 1,674 results, of which, after using the inclusion–exclusion criteria and assessing for bias, 16 studies were included and used for the systematic review. These studies covered both indoor and outdoor pollution. Various indoor and outdoor air pollutants linked to low birth weight, asthma, cancer and DNA impairment were reported in this review. Even though only some intervention programs are available within the region to mitigate the harmful effects of pollution, these programs need to be robust and appropriately implemented, causing possible threats to public health. Significant gaps in the research were identified, especially in the Caribbean.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations of the study include limited available research done within LAC, with most of the research quantifying pollutants rather than addressing their impacts. Additionally, most studies focus on air pollution but neglect water and land pollution’s effects on public health. For this reason, the 16 studies included limited robustness of the review.Originality/valueAlthough available studies quantifying pollution threats in LAC were identified in this review, research on the adverse impacts of pollution, especially concerning public health, is limited. LAC countries should explore making cities more energy-efficient, compact and green while improving the transportation sector by utilizing clean power generation. In order to properly lessen the effects of pollution on public health, more research needs to be done and implemented programs that are working need to be strengthened and expanded.

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“…The circular economy concept also largely involves changes in manufacturing and production to a more sustainable form (Global Environmental Facility [GEF], 2020; Velenturf and Purnell, 2021), an aspect which is currently inapplicable to the Windward Islands which mostly imports rather than manufacture its own products. Henceforth, recommendations from studies carried out in developed nations that have functioning waste management systems and product recyclability may serve as a point of reference or guide for lesser developed regions, e.g., WCR, but their conclusions cannot be directly inferred (Orona-Návar et al, 2022); at least not until SWM infrastructure has improved and there is opportunity and incentive to recycle. Moreover, there is a lack of empirical studies that investigates the profitability of adopting circular economy concepts for waste processing (Zaleski and Chawla, 2020).…”

Section: The Challenges With Current Responses and Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The marine litter issue in the Windward Islands- a pathway to responses using the DPSIR framework

Graham

2023

Front. Environ. Sci.

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Marine litter is an important and worldwide concern that should be deeper analysed. It also requires information from all over the world and especially in less studied areas like small islands developing states, e.g., the Windward Islands of the Eastern Caribbean. This study analyses the issue of marine litter in the English-speaking Windward Islands using the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework. The research is based on a bibliographical review and analysis of scientific and grey literature regarding these islands and the Wider Caribbean Region at large. The Windward Islands present a unique situation because of their geographic location in the south-eastern Caribbean, socio-economic status, and strong external influences. The DPSIR Framework was used to frame and assess the major types, causes and effects of marine litter for the Windward Islands by reviewing current scientific and grey literature. The major solid waste item retrieved from the coastal and marine environment is fishing gear in the case of Dominica and plastic waste for the other islands. The challenges in current and proposed management measures were identified. Proposed solutions in the form of responses were tailored to meet each casual and effect component of the DPSIR framework. The study strongly recommends that the islands make use of their existing participation in global agreements and initiatives, participate more actively in the negotiations for the upcoming Global Plastics Treaty set to launch in 2024, and tackle their mutual need for effective solid waste management systems and infrastructure and increased recycling efforts or opportunities. These measures could undoubtedly pave a way to the achieving a cleaner and healthier ocean.

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Microplastics in Latin America and the Caribbean: A review on current status and perspectives

Cited by 46 publications

References 136 publications

Pollution by microplastic in highly crowded sandy beaches in Lima, Peru

Pollution by microplastic in highly crowded sandy beaches in Lima, Peru

Indoor and outdoor air pollutants as emerging public health threat in Latin America and the Caribbean: a systematic review

The marine litter issue in the Windward Islands- a pathway to responses using the DPSIR framework

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