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Plastic pollution has emerged as a global challenge necessitating collective efforts to mitigate its adverse environmental consequences. International negotiations are currently underway to establish a global plastic treaty. Emphasizing the need for solution-orientated research, rather than focusing on further defining the problems of widespread environmental occurrence and ecological impacts, this paper extracts insights and draws key patterns that are relevant for these international negotiations. The analysis reveals that (i) environmental rather than human health concerns have been the predominant driving force behind previous regulations targeting pollutants, and (ii) the decision to ban or discontinue the use of harmful pollutants is primarily affected by the availability of viable substitutes. These two key findings are relevant to the discussions of the ongoing Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on the global plastic treaty and underscore the recognition of environmental consequences associated with plastic pollution while emphasizing the need to enhance the knowledge base of potential human health risks. Leveraging the availability of substitutes can significantly contribute to the development and implementation of effective strategies aimed at reducing plastic usage and corresponding pollution.

The presence of microplastics (MPs) in the world’s longest river, the Nile River, has yet to be reported. This small-scale study aimed to provide the first information about MPs in the Nile River by sampling the digestive tracts of two fish species, the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, n = 29) and catfish (Bagrus bayad, n = 14). Fish were purchased from local sellers in Cairo, and then their gastrointestinal tracts were dissected and examined for MPs. Over 75% of the fish sampled contained MPs in their digestive tract (MP prevalence of 75.9% and 78.6% for Nile tilapia and catfish, respectively). The most abundant MP type was fibers (65%), the next most abundant type was films (26.5%), and the remaining MPs were fragments. Polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP) were all non-destructively identified by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. A comparison with similar studies from marine and freshwater environments shows that this high level of MP ingestion is rarely found and that fish sampled from the Nile River in Cairo are potentially among the most in danger of consuming MPs worldwide. Further research needs to be conducted, but, in order to mitigate microplastic pollution in the Nile River, we must act now.

The presence of plastics in aquatic environments, particularly freshwater environments that are relied upon on a daily basis (e.g., for water and food supply, as well as recreation and tourism), is a constant reminder of the indelible mark that our species is leaving on the planet. The study highlighted the important role that volunteers could play in the remediation of the environment and the collection of scientific data, as has been discussed elsewhere for freshwater systems [7]. [...]by focusing on macroplastics in the African Great Lakes, the study provides a link between the use (misuse) of plastic products on the shoreline and the ingestion of MPs by resident lake species, as has been noted elsewhere in the region (Lake Victoria, [8]). Analyzing the digestive tracts of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and catfish (Bagrus bayad) revealed the presence of MPs in over 75% of the sampled fish [9]. [...]it appeared to trigger an elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) response, with a significant increase in the oxidative stress mediator L-FABP (liver fatty-acid binding protein).

Every year, almost 2 billion new vehicle tires are produced world-wide. At the same time >1 billion tires reach their end of life. During use, tire wear particles (TWPs) form through abrasion of the rubber material, and in contact with the road surface composites of both materials form tire and road wear particles (TRWPs). These emissions represent a large fraction of total microplastic pollution, and thus a pressing environmental challenge that cannot be counteracted by “green” urbanization through the electrification of car, truck, and airplane fleets. In fact, heavier electric cars may emit even more TWPs and increase the frequency of tire replacements. In addition to TWPs and TRWPs, crumb rubber (CR) produced from end-of-life tires has been a popular low-cost product as infill on artificial grass for outdoor sports pitches, where it has become a substitute for natural grass, sand, or gravel, but is prone to runoff into the surrounding environment.

Rural areas are exposed to severe environmental pollution issues fed by industrial and agricultural activities combined with poor waste and sanitation management practices, struggling to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in line with Agenda 2030. Rural communities are examined through a “dual approach” as both contributors and receivers of plastic pollution leakage into the natural environment (through the air–water–soil–biota nexus). Despite the emerging trend of plastic pollution research, in this paper, we identify few studies investigating rural communities. Therefore, proxy analysis of peer-reviewed literature is required to outline the significant gaps related to plastic pollution and plastic waste management issues in rural regions. This work focuses on key stages such as (i) plastic pollution effects on rural communities, (ii) plastic pollution generated by rural communities, (iii) the development of a rural waste management sector in low- and middle-income countries in line with the SDGs, and (iv) circular economy opportunities to reduce plastic pollution in rural areas. We conclude that rural communities must be involved in both future plastic pollution and circular economy research to help decision makers reduce environmental and public health threats, and to catalyze circular initiatives in rural areas around the world, including less developed communities.

Background Early childhood caries poses a significant health issue in children under 6 years old. It is determined that Streptococcus mutans is a primary etiological agent, likely to be transferred through maternal contact. Objectives To determine the association of maternal S. mutans counts with S. mutans counts in their children between 6 and 30 months of age, and to determine the maternal and child DMFT (decayed, missing, and filled teeth) indices. Material and Methods A community‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan. A sample of 193 dyads of mother–children (6–30 months of age) was selected via purposive sampling. Saliva samples of the dyads were collected to assess S. mutans count. Caries assessment was performed for both using the DMFT index. A pretested questionnaire was used. The association of bottle‐feeding, oral hygiene measures, and other factors with S. mutans counts in children were also explored. Zero‐inflated negative binomial regression model at a 5% level of significance was applied using STATA version 12.0. Results Out of 193 children, 109 (56.47%) were males and 84 (43.52%) were females. The mean age of mothers and children was 29.4 ± 6.2 years and 19.54 ± 6.8 months, respectively. Maternal S. mutans counts were not statistically associated with child's S. mutans counts (Mean child's S. mutans count ratio: 1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1, 1.01; p = .882). Compared with children who were breastfed, S. mutans counts were higher in children who were bottle‐fed (mean S. mutans count ratio= 4.85 [95% CI: 1.53, 15.41], p = .007). Age of mother and present caries status of mothers was significantly associated with the child's S. mutans count. Conclusion No association between maternal S. mutans and child S. mutans was observed. However, maternal age, children who were breastfed, children who did not use pacifiers, and children with mothers who did not have caries, exhibited low S. mutans counts in their saliva. WHY THIS PAPER IS IMPORTANT No association was observed between maternal S. mutans and child S. mutans count. Breastfeeding, pacifier use, increasing maternal age, and absence of maternal caries were linked to lower S. mutans counts in children.

Background Atopic dermatitis is an abnormal skin condition that impacts a significant number of people in the US, with an estimated 9.6 million children and 16.5 million adults being affected by it. The study aimed to characterize and optimize clove oil-based nanomicelles for the possible topical use of bacterial infection-led atopic dermatitis. Clove oil-loaded nanomicelles were produced and carefully analyzed for vesicle diameter, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, morphological attributes, entrapment efficiency, in vitro release, stability, dermatokinetic parameters, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging behavior and antibacterial activity. Different models, such as Korsmeyer, Higuchi, first order, and zero order were employed to evaluate the in vitro release from the formulations. Results The average size of the clove oil nanomicelles was found to be 100.15 nm with a PDI of 0.2104; they were observed to be darker against a light background. The evaluated mean zeta size was 121.3 nm, the zeta potential was − 15.31 mV. The inhibitory concentration 50 (IC 50 ) of the formulation was 61.32 ± 0.98 μg/mL; clove oil was 73.56 ± 1.63 μg/mL, against ascorbic acid was 54.51 ± 0.79 μg/mL. Among the four models tested for in vitro release kinetics, the Korsmeyer Peppas model was followed by the nanomicelles formulation. Clove oil nanomicelles generated a higher concentration of 148.68 w/v on the skin epidermis within 1.5 h, whereas the conventional formulation exhibited 55.287 w/v. Moreover, clove oil nanomicelles generated a higher concentration of 125.84 µg/mL on the skin's dermis within 2 h, whereas the conventional formulation produced 68.263 µg/mL. The nanomicelles also inhibited bacterial growth within a 24-h period. Conclusions The study presents initial evidence regarding the potency of clove oil-based nanomicelles and their enhanced efficiency on the skin. Thus, the prepared formulation can further be studied and incorporated for the possible use against bacterial infection-led atopic dermatitis. Graphical abstract

Plastic pollution is considered one of today’s major environmental problems. Current land-based monitoring programs typically rely on beach litter data and seldom include plastic pollution further inland. We initiated a citizen science project known as the Mass Experiment inviting schools throughout The Danish Realm (Denmark, Greenland and the Faeroe Islands) to collect litter samples of and document plastic pollution in 8 different nature types. In total approximately 57,000 students (6–19 years) collected 374,082 plastic items in 94 out of 98 Danish municipalities over three weeks during fall 2019. The Mass Experiment was the first scientific survey of plastic litter to cover an entire country. Here we show how citizen science, conducted by students, can be used to fill important knowledge gaps in plastic pollution research, increase public awareness, establish large scale clean-up activities and subsequently provide information to political decision-makers aiming for a more sustainable future.