Soil Trojan horse: tiny plastics spreading pollutants and pathogens
TL;DR
A five-year EU-funded study across 11 European countries finds microplastics in all 227 agricultural fields tested and in 22 peer-reviewed studies; these plastics act as Trojan horses, delivering pollutants, pesticides and microbes and forming plastispheres that may boost antibiotic-resistance genes, disrupt soil organisms, and impair plant growth, with drought exacerbating effects. Biodegradable plastics are not automatically safer, and researchers urge standardized monitoring, transparency from manufacturers, and risk assessments across species to protect long-term soil health.
Topics:healthenvironment#agriculture#antibiotic-resistance#environment#environmental-pollution#microplastics#soil-health
- Microplastics in soil pose global threat by acting like ‘Trojan horse’ to deliver toxins The Guardian
- Plastic isn’t just surrounding us anymore. Scientists are finding tiny pieces of it inside us. Yahoo Health
- Microplastics in Food Systems: Sources, Exposure Routes, and Gut Health Impacts Bioengineer.org
- Is a blood test for microplastics too good to be true? SMH.com.au
- Microplastics in blood: Small in size, big in threat The New Indian Express
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