Impacts associated with the plastic polymers polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and polybutadiene across their life cycle: A review.

Polymers are the main building blocks of plastic, with the annual global production volume of fossil carbon-based polymers reaching over 457 million metric tons in 2019 and this figure is anticipated to triple by 2060. There is potential for environmental harm and adverse human health impacts associated with plastic, its constituent polymers and the chemicals therein, at all stages of the plastic life cycle, from extraction of raw materials, production and manufacturing, consumption, through to ultimate disposal and waste management. While there have been considerable research and policy efforts in identifying and mitigating the impacts associated with problematic plastic products such as single-use plastics and hazardous chemicals in plastics, with national and/or international regulations to phase out their use, plastic polymers are often overlooked.

The plastic health map: A systematic evidence map of human health studies on plastic-associated chemicals.

Background: The global production and use of plastic materials has increased dramatically since the 1960s and there is increasing evidence of human health impacts related to exposure to plastic-associated chemicals. There is, however, no comprehensive, regulatory, post-market monitoring for human health effects of plastic-associated chemicals or particles and it is unclear how many of these have been investigated for effects in humans, and therefore what the knowledge gaps are.

Objective: To create a systematic evidence map of peer-reviewed human studies investigating the potential effects of exposure to plastic-associated particles/chemicals on health to identify research gaps and provide recommendations for future research and regulation policy.

Intravesical hyaluronic acid with chondroitin sulphate to prevent urinary tract infection after spinal cord injury.

Context/objective: Prevention of urinary tract infection (UTI) after spinal cord injury is an important goal. Intravesical hyaluronic acid with chondroitin sulphate (HA+CS) has been effective in preventing UTI in other settings. We aimed to demonstrate safety and feasibility of a standard treatment course of 7 intravesical HA+CS instillations over 12 weeks, in patients with acute (Arm A) and chronic (Arm B) spinal cord injury (SCI).

A scoping review protocol on in vivo human plastic exposure and health impacts.

Background: Global plastic production has increased exponentially since the 1960s, with more than 6300 million metric tons of plastic waste generated to date. Studies have found a range of human health outcomes associated with exposure to plastic chemicals. However, only a fraction of plastic chemicals used have been studied in vivo, and then often in animals, for acute toxicological effects.

Barriers and facilitators to optimising inpatient bladder management after spinal cord injury.

Study Design: Qualitative survey.

Objectives: Examine clinicians' perspectives on adherence to published evidence-based guidelines and clinician-perceived barriers, and facilitators to optimising inpatient bladder management within one Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) service.

Setting: Surgical Hospital (acute care) and SCI Unit (sub-acute, rehabilitation) in Western Australia (WA).

Early urinary tract infection after spinal cord injury: a retrospective inpatient cohort study.

Study Design: Retrospective audit.

Objectives: Examine factors associated with urinary tract infection (UTI), UTI incidence and impact on hospital length of stay (LOS) in new, inpatient adult traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Setting: Western Australian Hospitals managing SCI patients.

Optimal Bladder Management Following Spinal Cord Injury: Evidence, Practice and a Cooperative Approach Driving Future Directions in Australia.

We examined spinal cord injury (SCI) catheterization practices in Australia to understand practice patterns and consistency with research evidence. A national facilitated discussion forum was held during the annual Australian and New Zealand Spinal Cord Society conference attended by 66 conference delegates. Initially, presentations were given on the latest laboratory research examining bladder changes following SCI; an overview of evidence-based recommendations indicating that intermittent catheterization is best practice; and results of a single-center practice audit that demonstrated substantial delay in transition between acute SCI and intermittent catheterization.