Food & water under threat from microplastics in fields, rivers across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh

Time of India

04-06-2025

Hyderabad: Microplastics are emerging as a silent threat in landfills in Hyderabad, Godavari river and agricultural land across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Recent scientific research has identified alarming levels of microplastics in Godavari and associated water bodies in Telangana and AP.
A study published in the Journal of Environmental Management in 2025 examined surface water and water treatment plants in West Godavari.
It found 330 microplastics (MPs) particles in river surface water from 15 samples and 121 MPs in six samples in water treatment plant.
These MPs, primarily composed of blue and transparent fibres smaller than 500 micrometres (µm), were traced to commonly used plastic polymers, including polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate, nylon, and polyethene terephthalate (PET).
Larger MPs exceeding 3,000 µm were observed in treated water.
Risk indices used in the study, including the Pollution Load Index and Ecological Risk Index, suggested that the type of polymer, rather than quantity, posed significant environmental risks. Researchers said India generates 9.3 million tonnes of plastic annually, accounting for over 20% of global plastic pollution due to poor waste management. They suggested the need for improved control around urban run-off and water treatment protocols to address its menace in rivers.
Soil Contamination Through Irrigation And Landfills
The ecological threat is not limited to rivers. Another review titled 'Microplastic Contamination in Agricultural Soils Across India: A Systematic Review of Studies and Research Gaps' analysed data from 73 studies conducted between 2020 and 2024. It revealed significant risks of microplastic infiltration into soil across India, particularly in Telangana and AP.
In Hyderabad, fields near Jawahar Nagar landfill are at risk due to leachate infiltration into underground water. These pollutants can enter irrigation networks and eventually accumulate in fields. This finding is supported by a separate 2023 study titled 'Preliminary Evidence of Microplastics in Landfill Leachate, Hyderabad, India' (Process Safety and Environmental Protection journal).
The use of polluted water for irrigation, plastic mulch in farming, and improper waste management are major contributors to soil microplastic contamination.
In AP, land irrigated with water from Godavari, which is already confirmed to contain MPs, face similar risks. Northern coastal regions are especially vulnerable due to atmospheric deposition and run-off from contaminated beach sediments.
Gaps In Southern India's Research On Plasticulture And Wastewater Irrigation
While plastic-based farming such as mulching and drip irrigation are widespread in Telangana and AP, their contribution to soil microplastic level is poorly studied.
Additionally, peri-urban agriculture in cities such as Hyderabad often uses treated and untreated municipal wastewater, yet few studies assessed the MP levels.
Moreover, there is no clear understanding of how microplastics interact with specific soil types found in the region. There are also no studies assessing microplastic uptake in major southern crops such as rice, pulses and millets, raising worries about food safety and long-term soil health. The existing evidence highlights an urgent need for policy intervention, localised scientific research and enhanced waste and water management to curb the spread of microplastics.