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Soil contamination with microplastics (MPs) from treated wastewater and sewage sludge: risks and sustainable mitigation strategies
Summary
Researchers reviewed how microplastics from treated wastewater and sewage sludge — both commonly applied to farmland — contaminate agricultural soils and ultimately enter the food chain, with alarming evidence of microplastics already detected in human blood, reproductive tissue, and placentas. The review calls for better wastewater treatment and sustainable farming practices to reduce this growing health threat.
Abstract This review explores the hidden hazards associated with the reuse of treated wastewater and sewage sludge in agriculture while proposing mitigation strategies. It examines the origins and pathways of microplastics (MPs) in wastewater treatment plants and how these pollutants infiltrate agricultural ecosystems. The review assesses the effectiveness of MP removal from wastewater and its fate in soil after reuse, highlighting contamination dynamics and the need for proactive measures. Introducing soil remediation methods is crucial for addressing this issue. Alarming evidence of MPs in human blood, testis, semen, and placenta underscores the urgency for solutions, revealing significant threats to human health, particularly reproductive health. The review advocates for sustainable agricultural practices and effective soil remediation strategies to mitigate MP contamination, promoting environmental preservation, food safety, and human health protection. Graphical Abstract