Microplastic (MP) contamination of agricultural food is a concern for food safety, human health, and agroecosystems. Agricultural ecosystems can be affected by MP contamination via plastic mulch, sewage sludge, fertilizer, compost, irrigation water, municipal solid waste, and atmospheric fallout (tire wear, and dump sites). When these particles enter the soil, they can be absorbed by plants, and accumulate in soil organisms leading to the disruption of soil health. These contaminants can accumulate in edible crop parts and reach human food chains, causing a huge threat to human health and food security. The way to develop mechanisms for mitigating the effects on health and food security is through being aware of the MP contamination route in agricultural systems. However, a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of MPs on soil and agricultural crops is unclear. Hence, this chapter highlights the sources, abundance, and pathways of MP contamination in agricultural ecosystems, plant uptake, the impact of MPs on agricultural food productivity, MPs in the food chain, and possible risks for food safety and human health.

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Route of Microplastic Contamination to Agricultural Food

  • Kalani Perera,
  • Keshani Jayathilaka,
  • Sachini Hansika Senevirathne,
  • Manura Weerasinghe,
  • Meththika Vithanage,
  • Anushka Upamali Rajapaksha

摘要

Microplastic (MP) contamination of agricultural food is a concern for food safety, human health, and agroecosystems. Agricultural ecosystems can be affected by MP contamination via plastic mulch, sewage sludge, fertilizer, compost, irrigation water, municipal solid waste, and atmospheric fallout (tire wear, and dump sites). When these particles enter the soil, they can be absorbed by plants, and accumulate in soil organisms leading to the disruption of soil health. These contaminants can accumulate in edible crop parts and reach human food chains, causing a huge threat to human health and food security. The way to develop mechanisms for mitigating the effects on health and food security is through being aware of the MP contamination route in agricultural systems. However, a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of MPs on soil and agricultural crops is unclear. Hence, this chapter highlights the sources, abundance, and pathways of MP contamination in agricultural ecosystems, plant uptake, the impact of MPs on agricultural food productivity, MPs in the food chain, and possible risks for food safety and human health.