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[Application and Environmental Risks of Biodegradable Films].
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Biodegradable plastic films are being used more often in farming to replace regular plastic and cut down on pollution, and they even help crops grow better by improving soil conditions. But as these films break down, they can release tiny plastic particles and chemical additives into the soil, which may harm soil organisms and crops—and could potentially make their way into our food supply. This review pulls together existing research on the topic and calls for more studies to better understand and manage these risks before biodegradable films become widespread.
， and minerals via biological and abiotic mechanisms. Their application can significantly improve soil hydrothermal conditions， enhance soil nutrients， and achieve yield increases comparable to conventional plastic films. Therefore， promoting and applying biodegradable films is an effective strategy to address agricultural residual film pollution. However， during the degradation process， these films may release substantial amounts of microplastics and additives into the soil environment， posing risks to soil fauna， microorganisms， and crops， with potential human health implications through the food chain. Based on literature and statistical data， this study summarizes the developmental history， degradation mechanisms， application research， and environmental risks of biodegradable films. It also proposes future research priorities and directions， aiming to provide a reference for the application and environmental risk management of biodegradable films.
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