From waterways to wombs: Widespread threats of plastic pollution – WFAE

Report on Endometriosis and Environmental Contaminants in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

Endometriosis, a debilitating condition affecting approximately 200 million individuals globally, presents a significant challenge to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). This report examines emerging research that links the condition to microplastic exposure, highlighting the intersection of public health with environmental sustainability goals, including SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water). The investigation into novel, non-invasive diagnostic methods using menstrual blood is a critical advancement for women’s health and offers a new tool for monitoring environmental pollution, thereby contributing to multiple SDGs.

1.0 Public Health Impact and Alignment with SDG 3 and SDG 5

Endometriosis is a chronic disease where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. Its prevalence and severe impact on quality of life directly relate to key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

1.1 Endometriosis as a Global Health Concern (SDG 3)

• Prevalence: The World Health Organization reports that one in 10 girls and women of childbearing age are affected, totaling nearly 200 million worldwide.
• Health Impact: The condition can cause debilitating pain and infertility, undermining progress toward SDG Target 3.4, which aims to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
• Diagnostic Delays: The disease remains underdiagnosed and poorly understood, with laparoscopic surgery being the current standard for diagnosis. This gap in healthcare access and knowledge hinders the achievement of universal health coverage.

1.2 Addressing Gender Equality in Healthcare (SDG 5)

• Gender-Specific Health: The lack of understanding and delayed diagnosis for a condition exclusively affecting women highlights systemic inequities in medical research and healthcare, which SDG 5 aims to eliminate.
• Menstrual Stigma: Societal taboos surrounding menstruation often prevent individuals from seeking timely care, creating a significant barrier to diagnosis and treatment. Overcoming this stigma is essential for achieving SDG Target 5.6, which calls for universal access to sexual and reproductive health.

2.0 Environmental Linkages: Microplastics and Reproductive Health

Recent research explores the role of environmental contaminants, specifically microplastics, in the pathology of endometriosis. This connection underscores the importance of SDG Target 3.9, which focuses on reducing illnesses and deaths from hazardous chemicals and pollution.

2.1 Research on Microplastic Exposure

A study presented by Julia Froese of UNC-Chapel Hill investigates the presence of micro- and nanoplastics in uterine tissue. Early findings from associated research suggest that the smallest plastic particles may cause the most significant harm to uterine health and female reproduction. This research is critical for understanding how environmental factors influence non-communicable diseases.

2.2 Menstrual Blood as a Non-Invasive Diagnostic and Monitoring Tool

A novel research approach, co-directed by Dr. Christine Metz of Northwell Health’s Feinstein Institutes, proposes using menstrual blood for two primary purposes:

1. Early Diagnosis of Endometriosis: To develop a non-invasive test that allows for earlier diagnosis, improving health outcomes and addressing fertility issues proactively (contributing to SDG 3).
2. Environmental Exposure Assessment: To analyze shed uterine tissue for environmental toxins, providing a method to measure the impact of pollution events, such as chemical spills, on human health (contributing to SDG 3.9).

3.0 The Global Plastic Crisis and its Impact on SDGs 6, 11, 12, and 14

The potential link between microplastics and endometriosis is situated within the broader context of global plastic pollution, a crisis that threatens multiple SDGs.

3.1 Scale of Plastic Pollution

• Environmental Contamination: The UN Environment Programme estimates that over 25 million tons of plastic waste enter oceans and waterways annually, directly threatening SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
• Waste Management: In 2021, the United States generated over 40 million tons of plastic waste, with the vast majority ending up in landfills, challenging the objectives of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) for effective waste management.
• Human Exposure: Studies indicate humans ingest and inhale tens of thousands of microplastic particles annually, linking them to conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and hormonal disruption.

3.2 Promoting Responsible Consumption (SDG 12)

Addressing the root cause of plastic pollution requires a shift in consumption patterns, as outlined in SDG 12. Recommendations for reducing individual plastic exposure align directly with SDG Target 12.5, which aims to substantially reduce waste generation.

Recommendations for Reducing Plastic Exposure:

• Reduce consumption of single-use plastics such as bags, bottles, and takeout containers.
• Avoid disposable plastic items like utensils, straws, and coffee pods.
• Utilize safer food storage options made of glass, ceramic, wood, or stainless steel.
• Choose household products with plastic-free packaging, such as laundry powders.
• Limit clothing made from synthetic fibers that shed microplastics during washing.

4.0 Conclusion: An Integrated Approach to Health and Environment

The emerging research connecting endometriosis to microplastic exposure demonstrates the profound interconnectedness of human health and environmental integrity. Addressing this complex challenge requires an integrated strategy that advances medical research for women’s health (SDG 3, SDG 5) while simultaneously tackling the global crisis of plastic pollution through responsible consumption and improved waste management (SDG 11, SDG 12, SDG 14). The development of innovative diagnostic tools that also serve as environmental monitoring systems represents a significant step toward achieving a sustainable and healthy future for all.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article’s primary focus is on endometriosis, a significant health condition affecting millions of women worldwide. It also discusses the broader health risks associated with microplastic pollution, such as potential links to Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and hormonal disruption, directly connecting to the goal of ensuring healthy lives.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The article highlights a health issue, endometriosis, that exclusively affects women and girls. It points out that the disease is underdiagnosed and poorly understood, and that “period stigma” can delay diagnosis, underscoring inequalities in women’s health research, awareness, and care.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The article explicitly mentions the contamination of waterways with plastic waste. It cites a study that documented over 150,000 pieces of debris, mostly plastic, in North Carolina’s rivers and streams, which directly relates to the goal of ensuring clean water and reducing water pollution.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The problem of plastic waste stems from unsustainable production and consumption patterns. The article mentions that single-use plastics account for 40% of global plastic production and provides a list of tips to reduce plastic consumption, directly addressing the need for more sustainable practices.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water: The article quantifies the scale of marine pollution by stating that “Oceans and waterways absorb the daily load of 2,000 garbage trucks’ worth of plastic waste.” This massive influx of plastic debris directly threatens marine ecosystems, aligning with the goal to conserve and sustainably use the oceans.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. The research into the environmental causes of endometriosis and the development of noninvasive diagnostic tools contribute directly to the prevention and improved treatment of this non-communicable disease.
• Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services. The article’s focus on endometriosis, a condition that causes infertility and debilitating pelvic pain, and the effort to create earlier, more accessible diagnostic methods, supports the goal of improving reproductive health care for women.
• Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. The investigation into the link between microplastic exposure (a form of pollution) and diseases like endometriosis and Parkinson’s directly addresses this target.
• Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights. By highlighting a poorly understood women’s health issue and the barriers to its diagnosis (including stigma), the article underscores the need for better access to care and information related to female reproductive health.
• Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. The article provides a specific list of actions to “Cut down on single-use plastics” and “Choose safer food storage options,” which are direct examples of waste prevention and reduction.
• Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris. The article’s data on plastic waste from the US ending up in landfills and the amount of plastic entering oceans daily from land-based sources directly relates to this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Prevalence and diagnosis rates of endometriosis: The article states that endometriosis affects “one in 10 girls/teens and women” and “nearly 200 million girls and women worldwide.” An increase in timely diagnosis rates and improved health outcomes for these individuals would be an indicator of progress towards Targets 3.4 and 3.7.
• Concentration of environmental contaminants in the human body: The research discussed uses menstrual blood to detect environmental toxins like plastic particles. The level of these microplastics in human tissue serves as a direct indicator for Target 3.9, measuring exposure to hazardous pollution.
• Amount of plastic waste generated and mismanaged: The article provides specific figures, such as the “40.1 million and 51 million tons of plastic waste” generated by the US in 2021 and the “2,000 garbage trucks’ worth of plastic waste” entering oceans daily. A reduction in these figures would be a key indicator for measuring progress on Targets 12.5 and 14.1.
• Quantity of plastic debris in freshwater ecosystems: The local study in North Carolina that “documented more than 150,000 pieces of debris” in streams provides a measurable indicator of land-based pollution affecting waterways, relevant to Target 14.1. Tracking this number over time can show the effectiveness of cleanup and prevention efforts.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: wfae.org