Environmental and health issues have been discussed for a long time. But a group of researchers at the University of Eastern Finland have discovered that plastic is present in many things we eat, such as vegetables, meat, and fish, and that nanoplastic compounds reach our bodies through food. Plastics that are less than a thousand nanometers in size are called nanoplastics. (If the meter is cut into a billion pieces, one of them is a nanometer long).
How was the research conducted?
According to a study published in the journal Nano Today on the 12th of this month, they used an innovative metallic fingerprint-based method to detect the amount and presence of nanoplastics in animal species.
The researchers applied the method to a three-level food chain, with lettuce as primary producers, black soldier fly larvae as primary consumers, and roaches, which eat insects and other insects, as secondary consumers.
For two weeks, the researchers exposed lettuce plants to soil containing nanoplastic composites of commonly found plastic waste in the environment, such as polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These plants were then fed to black soldier fly larvae. These larvae are fed to broilers and calves worldwide as a source of protein.
These larvae were fed with lettuce plants for five days and then fed with Roche fish for the next five days. Found in freshwater and estuarine waters, these fish are often used as food and prey by humans.
Plastic’s journey through the food chain
The researchers then examined these three organisms in detail through a scanning microscope. Lettuce plant roots were found to absorb nanoplastic compounds from the soil into their leaves. From lettuce they also passed into the body of insects.
Tests on black soldier fly larvae identified the presence of nanoplastics inside their mouths and digestive system. But in both of them, the presence of PS nanoplastic was less than that of PVC composites.
Their small size allows nanoplastics to penetrate the natural protective walls of the animal body. The researchers also hope that by examining the amount of nanoplastic compounds absorbed by plants from the soil, it will be possible to identify how much plastic is likely to end up in the human food chain and body.
Senior researcher at the University of Eastern Finland, Dr. Fazal Monikh says. He also shares concerns that if these studies are applied to other plants and crops, microplastic compounds in soil could pose a threat to humans and herbivores.
Content Summary : The tiniest specks of plastic can enter the human food chain