Microplastics and nanoplastics in the terrestrial food chain: Uptake, translocation, trophic transfer, ecotoxicology, and human health risk

Micro and nanoplastics in terrestrial ecosystems: pathways, health implications, and mitigation strategies

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Tiny plastic fragments from things like plastic mulch, tires, and compost are building up in farm soils, breaking down further, and getting absorbed by plant roots, meaning they could be entering the food we eat. This review pulls together existing research showing these particles can also harm soil health and plant growth, and while early studies suggest they may cause inflammation and cellular stress in living things, scientists still don't have solid data on how risky this is for human health. The takeaway: it's a real and growing concern worth watching, but more research is needed before we know exactly how much it affects us.

From Soil to Cell: a Systematic Review of the Trophic Transfer and Bioaccumulation of Microplastics in the Terrestrial Food Web

From Soil to Cell: a Systematic Review of the Trophic Transfer and Bioaccumulation of Microplastics in the Terrestrial Food Web

Routes of human exposure to Micro- and Nanoplastics through the food chain: what do literature reviews say?

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Researchers conducted an umbrella review of 59 published reviews on microplastics in food chains and found that plastic particles contaminate marine, freshwater, and terrestrial food sources across a vast size range (0.02–16,400 µm), noting that the number of reviews now exceeds primary studies, signaling a need for more standardized research.

Inclusive Assessment of Micro/Nanoplastics Biological Effects Across Primary Producers, Consumers, and Humans

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This comprehensive review synthesized microplastic and nanoplastic biological effects across the full spectrum of life—from microbes and plants to aquatic animals and humans—documenting conserved stress responses like oxidative damage, cell membrane disruption, and cascading impacts on ecosystem nutrient cycling. It highlights that smaller nanoplastics are particularly hazardous, bioaccumulate through food chains, and are increasingly linked to human inflammatory disorders and potential carcinogenic risks.