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The Hidden Crisis of Biodegradable Plastics: Polylactic Acid Microplastics Increase Soil Cd and Pb Bioavailability and Associated Human Health Risks

Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2025 2 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 58 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Shuling Zhao, Baiyan Liu, Changchao Li, Changchao Li, Shuling Zhao, Changchao Li, Changchao Li, Changchao Li, Baiyan Liu, Shuling Zhao, Qingliang Cui, Changchao Li, Changchao Li, Changchao Li, Tianyi Qiu, Shuling Zhao, Tianyi Qiu, Tianyi Qiu, Tianyi Qiu, Tianyi Qiu, Changchao Li, Changchao Li, Xiaozhen Zhu, Xiaozhen Zhu, Linchuan Fang Changchao Li, Xiaozhen Zhu, Xiaozhen Zhu, Qingliang Cui, Xiaozhen Zhu, Xiaozhen Zhu, Tianyi Qiu, Tianyi Qiu, Tianyi Qiu, Xiaozhen Zhu, Shuling Zhao, Changchao Li, Linchuan Fang Herong Chao, Linchuan Fang Xiaozhen Zhu, Herong Chao, Shuling Zhao, Bin Lian, Jing Chen, Bin Lian, Baiyan Liu, Shuling Zhao, Shuling Zhao, Changchao Li, Linchuan Fang Baiyan Liu, Xiaozhen Zhu, Tianyi Qiu, Changchao Li, Bin Lian, Changchao Li, Linchuan Fang Linchuan Fang Xiaozhen Zhu, Bin Lian, Linchuan Fang Changchao Li, Xiaohan Bai, Baiyan Liu, Xiaohan Bai, Changchao Li, Linchuan Fang Tianyi Qiu, Changchao Li, Shiqi Bian, Shiqi Bian, Changchao Li, Shiqi Bian, Linchuan Fang Linchuan Fang Shiqi Bian, Linchuan Fang Qi Li, Changchao Li, Changchao Li, Jing Chen, Linchuan Fang Linchuan Fang Linchuan Fang Linchuan Fang Linchuan Fang Linchuan Fang Qi Li, Linchuan Fang Jing Chen, Linchuan Fang Linchuan Fang

Summary

Researchers found that biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics, often marketed as eco-friendly alternatives, significantly increased the availability of toxic heavy metals like cadmium and lead in agricultural soil. The PLA particles altered soil chemistry and microbial communities, leading to greater heavy metal uptake by lettuce and substantially increased health risks for humans consuming the crops.

Polymers

PLA

The increasing application of biodegradable plastics like polylactic acid (PLA) has raised concerns about their potential environmental impacts, especially in agricultural soils co-contaminated with heavy metals. However, the mechanisms by which PLA microplastics (MPs) regulate the environmental behavior of heavy metals remain insufficiently understood. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of PLA MPs on cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) dynamics, lettuce uptake, and associated human health risks in a soil-lettuce system. The results demonstrated that PLA MPs altered soil properties, dissolved organic matter composition, and microbial community structure, thereby enhancing Cd (13.0-73.8%) and Pb (8.7-60.9%) bioavailability. Consequently, PLA MPs promoted Cd accumulation and translocation in lettuce, which exhibited photosynthesis inhibition and oxidative damage. Medium and high levels of PLA MPs significantly increased non-carcinogenic (0.4-1.9-fold) and carcinogenic (0.8-2.6-fold) risks associated with heavy metals, with shoot Cd accumulation as the primary contributor. These findings highlight the ecological and health risks of biodegradable MPs, calling for a critical reassessment of their presumed environmental sustainability.

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