Scientists discover dangerous microplastics lurking in vegetables

"If your lunchtime salad doesn't look too appealing, scientists have given you the perfect opportunity to ditch it. Experts from the University of Plymouth have issued an urgent warning over eating vegetables - after finding thousands of dangerous microplastics lurking in the edible parts. In their study, the team set out to understand how plastic particles are absorbed into vegetables during the growing process."

"Using radishes, they demonstrated how nanoplastics - some measuring as little as one millionth of a centimetre in diameter - can enter the roots. These dangerous particles can then spread and accumulate into the edible parts of the plant. While the researchers focused on radishes, they say the same findings likely apply to other vegetables. 'There is no reason to believe this is unique to this vegetable,' warned Dr Nathaniel Clark, lead author of the study."

"To get to the bottom of it, the researchers placed radishes in a hydroponic growing system, with the roots in contact with a solution containing microplastic particles. After five days, the team examined just how far into the plant the particles had penetrated. Their results revealed that around 25 per cent of the accumulated plastics had reached the edible fleshy root. Meanwhile, 10 per cent of the plastics had got as far as the shoots."

Nanoplastics as small as one millionth of a centimetre can enter vegetable roots and move into edible tissues. Radishes grown hydroponically with roots exposed to a microplastic-containing solution showed particle penetration within five days. Approximately 25 per cent of accumulated plastics reached the edible fleshy root, and about 10 per cent reached the shoots. Nanoplastic particles crossed the root's Casparian strip, a barrier that normally filters harmful substances, allowing potential accumulation within plants. Microplastics are widespread across environments, and similar absorption and accumulation patterns are likely for other types of produce grown worldwide.

Read at Mail Online