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Plastic and Micro/Nanoplastic Pollution in Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges, Impacts, and Solutions

Author

Listed:
  • Edith Dube

    (Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5117, South Africa)

  • Grace Emily Okuthe

    (Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5117, South Africa)

Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa faces increasing levels of plastic production and importation, unregulated usage, and inadequate waste management systems. This region’s harsh conditions often lead to plastic breaking down into microplastics and nanoplastics. This review explores the abundance of micro/nanoplastics across different environmental mediums, such as surface waters, sediments, and aquatic organisms, in sub-Saharan African countries. It also highlights knowledge gaps concerning the region’s abundance of micro/nanoplastics. The effects of plastics and micro/nanoplastics on food production, water quality, health, and the environment are discussed. Strategies to address the challenges of plastic pollution are proposed. Finally, the review concludes with future perspectives for addressing the ongoing challenges of plastic waste management in sub-Saharan Africa. The materials for this study were sourced from published articles on Scopus, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and additional platforms, including reports and various press releases, using keywords such as plastic waste, micro/nano-plastic, sub-Saharan Africa, toxicity, and circular economy. Articles were initially screened by reviewing abstracts, followed by a thorough reading of full papers to identify relevant studies. Key information was extracted from these selected articles and incorporated into this review.

Suggested Citation

  • Edith Dube & Grace Emily Okuthe, 2024. "Plastic and Micro/Nanoplastic Pollution in Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges, Impacts, and Solutions," World, MDPI, vol. 5(2), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jworld:v:5:y:2024:i:2:p:18-345:d:1394770
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Edith Dube & Grace Emily Okuthe, 2023. "Plastics and Micro/Nano-Plastics (MNPs) in the Environment: Occurrence, Impact, and Toxicity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(17), pages 1-23, August.
    2. Mwazvita T. B. Dalu & Ross N. Cuthbert & Hulisani Muhali & Lenin D. Chari & Amanda Manyani & Current Masunungure & Tatenda Dalu, 2020. "Is Awareness on Plastic Pollution Being Raised in Schools? Understanding Perceptions of Primary and Secondary School Educators," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-17, August.
    3. Joe Yates & Megan Deeney & Howard White & Edward Joy & Sofia Kalamatianou & Suneetha Kadiyala, 2019. "PROTOCOL: Plastics in the food system: Human health, economic and environmental impacts. A scoping review," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(1-2), June.
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