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Plastic Waste in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC): Impact on the Environment and Public Health—A Systematic Review
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This systematic review examined plastic waste impacts on the environment, aquatic life, and public health in Latin America and the Caribbean, finding significant negative effects across all domains. While many countries are pursuing bans, biodegradable alternatives, and cleanup campaigns, the review calls for more research especially in the Caribbean to guide evidence-based interventions.
The review showed that plastic pollution significantly impacts the environment, aquatic life, economy, and human health in LAC. The review further indicated that countries in LAC are working assiduously to address the issues associated with plastic pollution. The use of biodegradable plastics, cleanup campaigns, and policies/programs to reduce or ban plastics are some current efforts in many LAC countries. More research on the impact of plastic waste needs to be conducted, especially in the Caribbean, to address and mitigate the challenges of plastic pollution.
More Papers Like This
Prevalence of microplastics in the ocean in Latin America and the Caribbean
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This review assessed microplastic prevalence in ocean waters across Latin America and the Caribbean, finding that mismanaged waste and wastewater are critical pollution sources, while highlighting the need for more research on effects on local biota and human health.
Microplastics in Latin America Ecosystems: A Critical Review of the Current Stage and Research Needs
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This systematic review of 196 studies reveals that Latin America, which consumes 8% of the world's plastic but recycles only 4.5%, has significant gaps in microplastic contamination data. Understanding the distribution of microplastics in Latin American ecosystems is critical for assessing potential health risks to the region's populations.
Environmental Impact of Plastic Waste: Strategies for Sustainable Management
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This systematic review summarizes the environmental and health impacts of plastic waste and evaluates strategies for sustainable management. It highlights that plastic pollution threatens ecosystems and human health through microplastic contamination, and examines approaches like recycling, biodegradable alternatives, and policy interventions to reduce exposure.
Microplastics in Latin America and the Caribbean: A review on current status and perspectives
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This review assessed the current status of microplastic research across Latin America and the Caribbean, covering occurrence in water, sediments, and soil, as well as effects on aquatic and terrestrial organisms, and identifying key knowledge gaps in the region.
Where and how? A systematic review of microplastic pollution on beaches in Latin America and the caribbean (LAC)
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Microplastic contamination on Latin American and Caribbean beaches ranged from 0 to 5,458 particles/m2, with the highest accumulations found on ocean island beaches. Brazilian beaches accounted for 43% of all studies, while large stretches of coastline in Cuba, Venezuela, and Argentina had no data, and inconsistent methodologies prevented meaningful cross-study comparison.
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