We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The coexistence characteristics of microplastics and heavy metals in rhizomes of traditional Chinese medicine in mulch planting area
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined eight types of traditional Chinese medicine root products and found microplastic contamination in all of them, with concentrations ranging from about 21 to 44 particles per gram. The dominant microplastic types were polyurethane and acrylic fragments, and these particles showed a tendency to carry heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and chromium. The findings raise concerns about unintentional human exposure to both microplastics and associated toxic metals through herbal medicine consumption.
Rhizomatous traditional Chinese medicines (RTCMs) are widely crushed into powder and swallowed directly as medicine and food or health products to treat various diseases; however, they may contain toxic microplastics (MPs) and heavy metals. Currently, there are no reports on the detection of MPs and MP-heavy metal synergies in RTCMs. In this study, we selected eight representative RTCMs to investigate the abundance, types, sizes, and polymers of MP and heavy metals and to assess the level of contamination of MPs and synergies between MPs and heavy metals in RTCMs. The abundance of MPs in different RTCM ranged from 20.83 to 43.65 items/g. The dominant type was fragment (95.43%), and the dominant particle size was < 0.5 mm (73.72%) in MPs. Polyurethane (PU) (29.21%) and acrylics (ACR 13.53%) were the dominant polymers of MP. MP polymers showed obvious correlations with type and particle size: PU was enriched in 0-50-mm and 100-300-mm fragments, whereas ethylene vinyl acetate and ACR were enriched in 0-30-mm fibers. The heavy metals arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and chromium (Cr) were found to be more susceptible to synergistic contamination with MPs in RTCMs compared to other heavy metals. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of the MPs and heavy metals for RG (Rehmannia glutinosa) and RAY (Rhizoma atractylodis) were higher than others. The results showed that MP pollution is common in RTCMs and carries the potential risk of heavy metal or MP poisoning in humans who consume RTCMs.
More Papers Like This
Prevalence of microplastics in animal-based traditional medicinal materials: Widespread pollution in terrestrial environments
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found microplastics in all 20 types of traditional Chinese medicinal animal materials tested, with an average occurrence rate of 94.67% and polyethylene terephthalate (40.45%) as the dominant polymer. The findings indicate that terrestrial environments are significantly contaminated with microplastics and raise concerns about health exposure through traditional medicine consumption.
Microplastics in marine-derived traditional Chinese medicine, potential threat to patients
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers detected microplastics in all nine types of marine-derived traditional Chinese medicines tested, with abundances ranging from 0.07 to 9.53 items per gram, representing the first documented evidence of microplastic contamination in these widely consumed medicinal products.
Characterization of microplastics and the association of heavy metals with microplastics in suburban soil of central China
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastics in suburban soils of central China were characterized across three land-use types, with woodland containing the highest concentrations (4.1×10³ particles/kg) and 81.7% of particles under 100 μm, while XRF analysis confirmed heavy metals were enriched on plastic surfaces compared to surrounding soil. The study confirms that smaller microplastics are the dominant form and can act as carriers for heavy metal contamination in urban-adjacent soils.
Microplastic contamination in plants: Seed-to-harvest exposure and quantified evidence from medicinal crops
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tracked how microplastics interact with medicinal root crops from seed germination through harvest and found that seed imbibition attracts microplastic particles from surrounding soil. The study revealed that after 120 days of exposure, mature root periderm trapped approximately 140,000 to 150,000 particles per gram, and that microplastic penetration into seedling roots varied by plant species and root structure.
Coexistence of microplastics and heavy metals in soil: Occurrence, transport, key interactions and effect on plants
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how microplastics and heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic interact in soil, often creating combined toxic effects on plants that differ from either pollutant alone. These interactions are relevant to human health because contaminated crops can transfer both microplastics and heavy metals to people through the food supply.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.