The Health and Environmental Impact of Plastic Waste Disposal in South African Townships: A Review
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Literature Review
3. Materials and Methods
- only articles published in peer-reviewed journals, peer-reviewed conference proceedings and theses were considered
- the relevant documents considered in this study were from 2010 to 2021.
- papers addressing only the environmental and health impact of plastic waste disposal were considered.
4. Status Quo of South African Townships
5. The Environmental and Health Impact of Plastic Waste Disposal in South African Townships
5.1. Environmental Impact
5.2. Health Impact
6. Recommendations
7. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Symbols | Types of Plastics | Common Uses | Properties | Negative Health Effect | Recycled Into |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Polyethylene terephthalates | Water bottles, soft drinks, salad dressing and domes, containers and biscuit trays | Tough, clear, solvent resistant, a barrier to moisture and gas softens at 80 °C | Causes carcinogens, vomiting, diarrhoea [19] | Sleeping bag and pillow filling, carpeting, clothing, soft drink bottles, building insulation | |
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) | Freezer and shopping bags, buckets, shampoo, ice cream and milk containers, juice bottles, chemical and detergent bottles, rigid agricultural pipe, crates | Hard to semi-flexible, resistant to chemicals and moisture, waxy surface, opaque, softens at 75 °C, easily coloured, processed and formed | Stomach ulcers [20] | Recycling bins, compost bins, | |
i. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ii. Plasticized polyvinyl chloride PVC-P | Cosmetic containers, plumbing pipes and fittings, electrical conduct, blister packs, wall cladding, roof sheeting, bottles, garden hose, shoe soles, cable sheathing, blood bags and tubing | i. Strong, tough, softens at 80 °C, can be solvent welded and clear. ii. Flexible, clear, elastic, can be solvent welded | Interferes with hormonal development [21] | Compost bins | |
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) | Refuse bags, irrigation tubings, mulch film, cling wrap, garbage bags, squeeze bottles | Soft flexible, waxy surface, translucent, softens at 70 °C, scratches easily | Not recyclable [22] | Bin liners, pallet sheets | |
Polypropylene (PP) | Lunch boxes, microwave dishes, garden furniture, kettles, bottles and ice cream tubs, potato chip bags, straws and packaging tape | Hard and translucent, softens at 140 °C, withstands solvents, versatile | No known effects [23] | Pegs, bins, pipes, pallet sheets | |
i. Polysterene (PS) ii. Expanded polysterene (PS) | CD cases, plastic cutlery, imitation glassware, low-cost brittle toys, video cases/foamed polystyrene cups, protective packaging, building and food insulation | i. Semi-tough glassy rigid clear or opaque, material, it softens at 95 °C, affected by fat, acids and solvents, but resistant to salt solutions and alkalis, low water absorption, when not pigmented it is clear, odour- and taste-free. ii. Special types PS are available for special applications | Takes a thousand years to degrade [24] | Recycle bins | |
Polycarbonate and others | Automotive and appliance components, computers, electronics, cooler bottles, packaging | Includes all resins and multi-materials (e.g., laminates) properties dependent on plastic or combination of plastics | Obesity, cancer, endocrine problems in foetuses and children [25] | Recycle bins |
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Share and Cite
Adeniran, A.A.; Shakantu, W. The Health and Environmental Impact of Plastic Waste Disposal in South African Townships: A Review. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 779. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19020779
Adeniran AA, Shakantu W. The Health and Environmental Impact of Plastic Waste Disposal in South African Townships: A Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19(2):779. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19020779
Chicago/Turabian StyleAdeniran, Adeleye Ayoade, and Winston Shakantu. 2022. "The Health and Environmental Impact of Plastic Waste Disposal in South African Townships: A Review" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19, no. 2: 779. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19020779