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Tire wear nanoparticles induce systemic metabolic disruptions and heavy metal accumulation in spinach
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Tiny particles worn off car tires can end up in soil and get absorbed into spinach through both its roots and leaves, according to new research. At higher exposure levels, these tire particles stunted the plants' growth and caused them to soak up more toxic heavy metals like lead and cadmium into their leaves, meaning the leafy greens you eat could potentially carry contamination from road traffic pollution. While this study was done in a controlled pot experiment rather than real farm fields, it raises concerns about a previously overlooked way that everyday plastic pollution might be entering our food supply.
Tire wear nanoparticles (TWPs) pose an emerging environmental concern in agricultural systems. In this study, TWPs were characterized using dynamic light scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, revealing predominantly submicron particles (average hydrodynamic diameter 284.6 nm), irregular morphology, and complex composition. The ICP analysis confirmed the presence of Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni, Cd, and As in the TWP matrix. A controlled pot experiment evaluated the effects of soil and foliar-applied TWPs at concentrations of 0.05–0.5 g kg−1 (soil) or g L−1 (foliar) on spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). Fluorescence microscopy showed internalization of TWPs via both root and leaf pathways. Low soil concentration (0.05 g kg−1) transiently enhanced growth and metabolite accumulation, whereas higher concentrations (≥0.25 g kg−1 or g L−1) significantly reduced biomass, leaf area, photosynthetic traits, and growth indices. Antioxidant responses showed enzyme-specific modulation, with marked induction of peroxidase and catalase at higher TWP levels and variable superoxide dismutase responses depending on the exposure pathway. Metal analysis revealed concentration-dependent accumulation of Zn and non-essential metals, including Pb and Cd, in leaves, particularly at elevated TWP levels. These findings indicate that TWPs can enter plant tissues through both soil and foliar routes, alter morpho-metabolic processes, and promote metal accumulation, posing potential risks to food safety.
More Papers Like This
Tire wear nanoparticles induce systemic metabolic disruptions and heavy metal accumulation in spinach
AI summary Read the abstract
Tiny particles worn off from car tires can get absorbed into spinach through both its roots and leaves, and new research shows these particles aren't harmless, they stunt plant growth and cause toxic metals like lead and cadmium to build up in the edible leaves. Since tire dust is everywhere in soil and air near roads, this raises real concerns about whether the leafy greens we eat could be carrying these contaminants into our diets.
Tire wear nanoparticles induce systemic metabolic disruptions and heavy metal accumulation in spinach
AI summary Read the abstract
Tiny particles from worn-down tires can get absorbed by spinach plants through both their roots and leaves, and this new study found that higher levels of these particles stunted plant growth while causing toxic metals like lead and cadmium to build up in the leaves we'd eat. Since tire dust from roads regularly ends up in soil and dust that settles on crops, this research raises concerns that produce grown near roadways could carry these unwanted heavy metals, making it an important food safety issue to watch as scientists learn more.
Uptake of tire-derived compounds in leafy vegetables and implications for human dietary exposure
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Scientists measured tire-derived chemicals in commercial leafy vegetables from four countries and found six different tire compounds present, including some linked to toxicity in aquatic life. Tire particles are one of the most common types of microplastic in the environment, and their chemical additives can be taken up by food crops through contaminated soil and water. While the estimated daily intake from vegetables alone was relatively low, this study confirms that tire-related microplastic pollution is entering the human food supply.
Data from: Tire wear particles impacting a roadside wild plant species
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Tiny bits of rubber that flake off car tires as they drive—called tire wear particles—may be quietly harming the plants growing along our roads, according to a new study. Researchers found that these particles stunted growth and caused stress damage in a common roadside weed, suggesting the greenery in our parks and along streets may be absorbing more traffic pollution than we realized. While this study looked at plants rather than people, it's a reminder that tire particles are building up in the environments we live in every day, which is worth watching as scientists continue to study their broader effects.
Uptake of tire-derived compounds in lettuce under realistic growing conditions
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Researchers grew lettuce under realistic agricultural conditions and measured uptake of tire-derived compounds including 6PPD-quinone and benzothiazole, finding detectable concentrations in plant tissues and raising food safety concerns about tire wear particle contamination in agricultural soils.
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