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Airborne microplastics in leaves and food safety risks

Trends in Plant Science 2025 8 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Muhammad Ishfaq, Noman Shakoor, Matthias C. Rillig, Christoph‐Martin Geilfus

Summary

Researchers highlighted evidence that airborne microplastics can be absorbed through plant leaves, representing a significant but underappreciated route of plastic contamination in terrestrial food systems. The study underscores the need for urgent action to reduce plastic emissions and re-evaluate agricultural and food safety frameworks.

Global plastic production has surged. Li et al. provide evidence of an important aspect of terrestrial plastic pollution, highlighting leaf absorption of airborne plastics as a major route into plants. Their work underscores the need for urgent action to reduce plastic emissions and re-evaluate agricultural and food safety frameworks.

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