| “From Sea to Cell” is a community health initiative that recognizes coastal environments as indicators of ecological and population health. Within the Philippines’ plastic-dependent economy, marine plastic waste impacts a sizable coastal population of over 70 million. Our research successfully uncovered associations between 347 additives and the predominant marine plastic polymers and products nationwide. Enriched immune pathways, particularly those involving interleukins, cytokines, and phage-related routes, provided insight into the mechanisms of uptake and interactions of additives within the body. Enriched endocrine pathways linked to adipogenesis and lipid accumulation suggested an elevated risk of obesity in coastal communities upon exposure to additives. Notably, the widespread impact of hormone sensitizers underscored the capacity of additives to increase our responsiveness to other endocrine disrupting chemicals. As most additive associations were found in the food and beverage industry, engagement with local businesses is essential to implement measures aimed at reducing usage of single-use sachets and plastics. Furthermore, collaboration with local marine scientists is essential to gather comprehensive data on the chemical composition of marine plastic, which is still lacking in present literature. Through these concerted efforts, “From Sea to Cell” advocates for the protection of coastal health and the preservation of marine ecosystems for future generations. |
