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Evidence of microplastic accumulation on the surface of lettuce and analysis of contamination sources

Journal of Hazardous Materials 2025 8 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 63 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Meng Zhao Yeran Bai, Yeran Bai, Yeran Bai, Meng Zhao Meng Zhao Meng Zhao Meng Zhao Jiajia Zhang, Jiajia Zhang, Jiajia Zhang, Jiajia Zhang, Jiajia Zhang, Meng Zhao Meng Zhao Meng Zhao Meng Zhao Meng Zhao Jiajia Zhang, Jiajia Zhang, Yang Song, Jiajia Zhang, Yang Song, Yang Song, Jiajia Zhang, Meng Zhao Meng Zhao Yang Song, Meng Zhao Meng Zhao Meng Zhao Meng Zhao Jiajia Zhang, Jiajia Zhang, Jiajia Zhang, Meng Zhao Jiajia Zhang, Xiaoxuan He, Yanhua Chen, Yang Song, Yang Song, Yang Song, Jiajia Zhang, Yang Song, Yang Song, Yang Song, Xiaoxuan He, Yang Song, Yang Song, Jiajia Zhang, Meng Zhao Jiajia Zhang, Jiajia Zhang, Meng Zhao Meng Zhao Jiajia Zhang, Jiajia Zhang, Yanhua Chen, Wenqing He, Wenqing He, Wenqing He, Wenqing He, Wenqing He, Wenqing He, Jiajia Zhang, Jiajia Zhang, Meng Zhao Wenqing He, Meng Zhao Meng Zhao Meng Zhao Meng Zhao Meng Zhao Meng Zhao Jiajia Zhang, Yang Song, Yang Song, Yang Song, Yang Song, Wenqing He, Yanhua Chen, Yanhua Chen, Wenqing He, Jiajia Zhang, Meng Zhao Meng Zhao Jiajia Zhang, Jiajia Zhang, Jiajia Zhang, Jiajia Zhang, Meng Zhao Wenbo Bai, Meng Zhao Meng Zhao Jiajia Zhang, Yanhua Chen, Meng Zhao Wenbo Bai, Meng Zhao Jiajia Zhang, Wenqing He, Meng Zhao Jiajia Zhang, Yanhua Chen, Jiajia Zhang, Jiajia Zhang, Wenbo Bai, Jiajia Zhang, Wenbo Bai, Wei Han, Meng Zhao Wenqing He, Wenqing He, Jiajia Zhang, Meng Zhao Jiajia Zhang, Meng Zhao Jiajia Zhang, Wenqing He, Wenqing He, Yanhua Chen, Yanhua Chen, Wenbo Bai, Yanhua Chen, Meng Zhao Wenbo Bai, Wenqing He, Wenqing He, Yanhua Chen, Wenqing He, Meng Zhao Wenbo Bai, Wenbo Bai, Meng Zhao

Summary

Researchers found microplastics on the surface of lettuce grown in real agricultural conditions and traced the contamination to both airborne particles and pesticide sprays. The pesticide application process was identified as a significant but previously overlooked source of microplastics on vegetable surfaces. This study is relevant to human health because it shows that even washed fresh produce may carry microplastics from multiple sources during the growing process.

Polymers

PA PE PP

Microplastic (MP) pollution has emerged as a significant environmental concern. Microplastics land on vegetable surfaces with airborne deposition and agronomic activities. However, research on the sources of microplastics on vegetable surfaces is limited by the lack of monitoring of microplastics in the growing environment. Therefore, we detected microplastics on lettuce surfaces, in air, and in pesticides to determine the correlation between them. In addition, this study compared microplastics on the surface of different types of lettuce to explore their differences. The results showed that the content, in descending order, was old leaves of leaf lettuce > new leaves of leaf lettuce > nodular lettuce. A total of 19 polymers, mainly polyamide polyethylene and polypropylene, were detected on the surface of the lettuce. The contribution of microplastics on the surface of lettuce was air and pesticides in descending order of origin. Microplastic risk assessment index was determined that the risk level of microplastics on lettuce surfaces could be classed as level IV, indicating a high dietary health risk. The results presented here will enable scientific assessments of the exposure pathways of MPs in fresh vegetables and their potential harm to human health.

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