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Effects on Values

Preventing wastes entering the environment is essential to reduce the significant effects they have on values in our society. The values effected by waste pollution include:

  • Human health
  • Animal health – including wildlife and pets
  • Economic prosperity
  • Cultural values
Turtle recovering after fishing gear injury Photo by Currumbin Wildlife Hospital

Quick facts

Nanoplastics
can be absorbed by humans in the gastrointestinal tract and may accumulate in the brain, liver and other tissues[1].
Cigarette butts
are the most common form of litter in Queensland and can be responsible for fires, loss of wildlife, pets and homes.
By 2050
99 percent of seabirds are expected to have ingested plastic[2].

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References

  1. ^ Waring, RH, Harris, RM & Mitchell, SC (2018), 'Plastic contamination of the food chain: A threat to human health?', Maturitas. [online], vol. 115, pp. 64-68. Available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378512218303505.
  2. ^ Wilcox, C, Van Sebille, E & Hardesty, BD (2015), 'Threat of plastic pollution to seabirds is global, pervasive, and increasing', Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. [online], vol. 112, no. 38, pp. 11899-11904. Available at: https://www.pnas.org/content/112/38/11899.

Last updated: 10 May 2021

This page should be cited as:

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2021) Effects on Values, WetlandInfo website, accessed 18 March 2024. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/management/pressures/litter-illegal-dumping/effects-values/

Queensland Government
WetlandInfo   —   Department of Environment, Science and Innovation