Microplastics in Soil: A Hidden Threat to Crops and Human Health

Source: Springer Open

Recent research shows that farm soil contains 4 to 23 times more microplastics than water (Boctor et al., 2025). These tiny plastic fragments, even smaller than a sesame seed, can come from sources like plastic mulch, organic fertilisers, packaging, farm equipment, and even the air. Gradually, microplastics accumulate in agricultural soils.

Some studies show that crops such as lettuce, carrots, and wheat can take in microplastics through their roots. These plastics may carry chemical additives or pollutants, which could pose risks. However, field measurements suggest that the amounts reaching edible plant parts are usually small, and most laboratory studies use much higher microplastic concentrations than occur in real farming conditions.

Microplastics have also been detected in human tissues, including blood, lungs, brain, heart, and placenta. (Boctor et al., 2025). Scientists are still learning how harmful they are: presence in the body does not necessarily mean they cause disease, and standardised methods are still being developed to measure exposure accurately.

Experts say that microplastics are not just a problem in the ocean; they are an emerging issue in agriculture that could quietly affect human health. Communities and governments can help by regulating plastics on farms, supporting safer alternatives, and improving testing of soil for microplastic contamination. For individuals, washing vegetables and supporting local or organic produce are reasonable precautionary steps.

Microplastics in soil are a quiet but growing problem. Understanding them, taking simple precautions, and supporting sustainable farming can help keep our food and bodies healthier.

Reference:
Boctor, J., Hoyle, F. C., Farag, M. A., Ebaid, M., Walsh, T., Whiteley, A. S., & Murphy, D. V. (2025). Microplastics and nanoplastics: Fate, transport, and governance from agricultural soil to food webs and humans. Environmental Sciences Europe, 37, Article 68. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-025-01104-x

© 2025 Mariah (OC)