麻豆直播

A new 麻豆直播-led has shed new light on the widespread number of households in developing countries burning plastic as an everyday energy source, uncovering serious international health, social equality and environmental concerns.

Published in Nature Communications, the research surveyed more than 1000 respondents across 26 countries who work closely with low-income urban neighbourhoods, such as researchers, government workers and community leaders.

One in three respondents said they were aware of households burning plastic, with many personally witnessing neighbours or community members doing so.

A smaller but significant group reported having burned plastic themselves.

Lead researcher , from the  (CIET), said the study was the first to provide broad global evidence of households burning plastic to not only dispose of waste, but also cook food, heat homes, light fires and keep insects away.

鈥淭his is an issue that has largely been happening out of sight in communities and been difficult to get accurate data on, however this survey provides additional insights into what is going on,鈥� Dr Bharadwaj said.

鈥淲hen families can鈥檛 afford cleaner fuels and have no reliable waste collection, plastic becomes both a nuisance and a last-resort energy source. We found evidence of people burning everything from plastic bags and wrappers to bottles and packaging, just to meet basic household needs.

鈥淭he practice is far more widespread than anyone realised, but because it happens in marginalised communities and is often hidden, it has escaped meaningful global attention despite the severe risks to health and the environment.鈥�

The team found households frequently used simple stoves such as three-stone fires, charcoal stoves and makeshift burners to burn plastic, producing toxic smoke inside homes and densely populated areas.

Women, children, older residents and people with disabilities were identified as those most exposed.

Co-author from Curtin’s Western Australian School of Mines (WASM) said the burning of materials such as mixed plastics and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) posed severe risks from toxic emissions.

鈥淲hen PVC is burned, it releases highly toxic dioxins and furans, which are among the most dangerous pollutants known,鈥� Professor Vuthaluru said.

鈥淭hese compounds persist in the environment, accumulate in the food chain and can cause serious health problems including cancer, reproductive disorders and immune system damage.

鈥淧VC ranks as the third most commonly burned plastic, which is extremely concerning.鈥�

Co-researcher from Curtin’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences said the study highlighted the risks of food contamination from plastic burning.

鈥淥ur survey found 60 per cent of respondents thought it extremely likely that toxic chemicals from burning plastic could contaminate food and water,鈥� Dr Dhungana said.

鈥淭his isn’t just theoretical: studies near plastic burning sites have found toxic compounds in eggs and soil samples.

鈥淲hen plastic burns near homes and food preparation areas, these toxins can settle on crops, enter water sources and accumulate in foods, creating a hidden health crisis for communities already facing significant challenges.鈥�

Co-author and CIET Director said addressing the issue required far more than simply telling households not to burn plastic – and targeted action was required quickly given plastic use is projected to triple by 2060.

鈥淧eople only do this because they have no safer alternatives, due to root causes such as extreme energy poverty, unaffordable cleaner fuels and inadequate waste services,鈥� Professor Ashworth said.

鈥淚t鈥檚 essential that solutions include improving sanitation, supporting access to modern cooking energy and working with communities on practical, culturally relevant options.

鈥淭his research provides the evidence base needed to design interventions that genuinely support the world鈥檚 most vulnerable urban residents.鈥�

鈥楶revalence of plastic waste as a household fuel in low-income communities of the Global South鈥� was published in .