Micro(nano)plastic contaminations from soils to plants: human food risks

Micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) are emerging contaminations of growing concern. Although MNPs in terrestrial environments were widely reported, yet MNPs in the soil-plant system have not been systematically discussed regarding to human food. Here, we review MNP contaminations in agricultural soils and plants. Despite abundance variations, microplastics have been globally detected in agricultural soils. MNPs can further be uptake by crops, and cause multiple types of adverse effects on plants including oxidative stress and the decrease of crop biomass. Through the soil-plant system, MNP contaminations can entry into human food chains. Our current opinion is that (micro/nano)plastics can be transferred from soils, plants to human food, which poses a potential threat to food safety.

Automated summary

Research has shown that micro(nano)plastics are widely present in agricultural soils, affecting plants negatively and potentially entering the human food chain through the soil-plant system.