What harmful microbes are lurking in the world’s 7 billion tonnes of plastic waste?
Recently, invited by Nature, SKLMP Member Dr. Nathanael Ling Jin, an assistant professor from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, together with his postdoctoral researcher, Dr. Changchao Li led a Comment paper titled "What harmful microbes are lurking in the world’s 7 billion tonnes of plastic waste?" In this paper, they highlighted the microbial risks associated with plastic pollution and proposed a global strategy for understanding and combatting the risk.
Plastic debris provides a new ecological niche for microorganisms, resulting a new ecosystem referred to as the "plastisphere." Initial studies suggest that this human-made habitat serves as a widespread, mobile reservoir of various microbial hazards such as pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes, which poses potential health risks to living organisms including humans. However, current understanding and awareness of these risks remain insufficient. Risk assessments and management policies regarding plastic pollution often overlook this hidden threat.
To address this issue, this paper outlines the potential risks of plastisphere microbiomes on the functioning of ecosystems and the health of humans as well as other organisms. To develop a global strategy, this paper proposes 6 priorities: quantifying effects, redefining plastic pollution, sustaining funding, establishing expert panels, adjusting management strategies, and protecting people.
More details are available: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-03150-6