Plastic Waste in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC): Impact on the Environment and Public Health-A Systematic Review.

Background: The global spread and accumulation of plastics in freshwater, marine, and terrestrial settings are of great concern to public health and the environment, especially in developing countries with few resources. In the Caribbean and Latin America, nearly 17,000 tons of plastic waste are generated and trashed daily in open dumpsites with attendant consequences for the environment, the economy, aquatic life, the beauty of sea beaches, and public health. The increased use of plastics threatens public health and the ecosystem.