Plastics in the environment in the context of UV radiation, climate change and the Montreal Protocol: UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, Update 2023

Jansen MA, Andrady AL, Bornman JF, Aucamp PJ, Bais AF, Banaszak AT, Barnes PW, Bernhard GH, Bruckman LS, Busquets R, Häder DP, Hanson ML, Heikkilä AM, Hylander S, Lucas RM, Mackenzie R, Madronich S, Neale PJ, Neale RE, Olsen CM, Ossola R, Pandey KK, Petropavlovskikh I, Revell LE, Robinson SA, Robson TM, Rose KC, Solomon KR, Andersen MP, Sulzberger B, Wallington TJ, Wang QW, Wängberg SÅ, White CC, Young AR, Zepp RG, Zhu L (2024)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

DOI: 10.1007/s43630-024-00552-3

Abstract

This Assessment Update by the Environmental Effects Assessment Panel (EEAP) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) considers the interactive effects of solar UV radiation, global warming, and other weathering factors on plastics. The Assessment illustrates the significance of solar UV radiation in decreasing the durability of plastic materials, degradation of plastic debris, formation of micro- and nanoplastic particles and accompanying leaching of potential toxic compounds. Micro- and nanoplastics have been found in all ecosystems, the atmosphere, and in humans. While the potential biological risks are not yet well-established, the widespread and increasing occurrence of plastic pollution is reason for continuing research and monitoring. Plastic debris persists after its intended life in soils, water bodies and the atmosphere as well as in living organisms. To counteract accumulation of plastics in the environment, the lifetime of novel plastics or plastic alternatives should better match the functional life of products, with eventual breakdown releasing harmless substances to the environment.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

Loyola University New Orleans United States (USA) (US) University of Guelph (U of G) Canada (CA) Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) United States (USA) (US) California State University, Northridge (CSUN) United States (USA) (US) Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology / Eidgenössische Anstalt für Wasserversorgung, Abwasserreinigung und Gewässerschutz (EAWAG) Switzerland (CH) University of Michigan United States (USA) (US) Finnish Meteorological Institute / Finnisches Meteorologisches Institut Finland (FI) Linnaeus University (LNU) / Linnéuniversitetet Sweden (SE) QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute (früher: the Queensland Institute of Medical Research) Australia (AU) North Carolina State University United States (USA) (US) Smithsonian Environmental Research Center United States (USA) (US) University of Cumbria United Kingdom (GB) University of Manitoba Canada (CA) University of Colorado at Boulder United States (USA) (US) University of Wollongong (UOW) Australia (AU) Colorado State University United States (USA) (US) Ptersa Environmental Consultants South Africa (ZA) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) United States (USA) (US) University of Canterbury New Zealand (NZ) Murdoch University Australia (AU) Case Western Reserve University United States (USA) (US) Indian Institute of Science (IISc) India (IN) Exponent United States (USA) (US) University College Cork (UCC) Ireland (IE) Shenyang Institute of Applied Ecology China (CN) King’s College London United Kingdom (GB) Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Greece (GR) National Autonomous University of Mexico / Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) Mexico (MX) Donghua University / 东华大学 China (CN) Australian National University (ANU) Australia (AU) University of Magallanes / Universidad de Magallanes (UMAG) Chile (CL) Kingston University United Kingdom (GB) University of Gothenburg / Göteborgs universitet Sweden (SE) Biospherical Instruments Inc United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Jansen, M.A., Andrady, A.L., Bornman, J.F., Aucamp, P.J., Bais, A.F., Banaszak, A.T.,... Zhu, L. (2024). Plastics in the environment in the context of UV radiation, climate change and the Montreal Protocol: UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, Update 2023. Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43630-024-00552-3

MLA:

Jansen, Marcel A.K., et al. "Plastics in the environment in the context of UV radiation, climate change and the Montreal Protocol: UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, Update 2023." Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences (2024).

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