Framing the plastic pollution problem within the water quality-health nexus: Current understandings and policy recommendations

Abstract

Plastic pollution in the environment has become a serious global concern, as it negatively impacts ecosystem and related services. South Africa is no exception. It is very difficult to imagine a world without plastics. Since plastics were first made, production has increased from 1.5 million tons in the 1950s to approximately 322 million tons today. 1 On the African continent, South Africa tops the list with a production of 8987 kilotons of plastic, followed by Egypt (3977 kilotons) and Nigeria (2308 kilotons). 2 Plastic consumption, unlike production, reveals a clear link to GDP with countries such as South Africa, Egypt, Algeria and Morocco (13-19 kg/year) having on average twice the per capita consumption of plastic than countries such as Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana (4.4-8 kg/year). 2 Huge amounts of plastic are also imported into Africa, contributing further to local plastic consumption. In order to maximise the beneficial properties, additives such as plasticisers, flame retardants, thermal stabilisers, light and heat stabilisers, are added to some plastics. 3,4

Comparative Assessment of Microplastics in Surface Waters and Sediments of the Vaal River, South Africa: Abundance, Composition, and Sources

“…However, considering the large volumes of treated effluents released from WWTPs, a significant portion of microplastics can end up in water bodies; for instance, a WWTP with more than 98% removal efficiency on the River Clyde in Glasgow (Scotland) reportedly releases over 60 million microplastics daily (Murphy et al, 2016 ). Furthermore, microplastics retained in wastewater sludge may be invertedly applied to agricultural soils and potentially be remobilized during flash flooding, resulting in the contamination of freshwater systems (Corradini et al, 2019 ; Kelly et al, 2021 ; Ubomba‐Jaswa & Kalebaila, 2020 ; Zubris & Richards, 2005 ).…”