Latest news with #JosephBoctor
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists make concerning discovery after studying farmland soil: 'Highlights the urgent need for coordinated scientific and regulatory efforts'
Microplastics may be tiny in size, but a recent study shows they have a huge impact on our crops. Worrying new research has been highlighted by detailing the profound impact that microplastics have on soil and the crops that grow in contaminated areas. The study, originally published in the Environmental Sciences Europe journal, found that "agricultural soils now hold around 23 times more microplastics than oceans." The review stated that microplastics and nanoplastics have been discovered in lettuce, wheat, and carrot crops, with the lead researcher, Joseph Boctor, saying, "These microplastics are turning food-producing land into a plastic sink." Microplastics are flakes of plastic less than 5 millimeters in length. Plastics that can't biodegrade break down into smaller and smaller pieces, which are difficult to get rid of. They are incredibly pervasive, entering oceans, soil, animals, and human bodies. Animals and humans can consume the particles that end up in water, soil, and food sources, and microplastics may even be inhaled. Unfortunately, the presence of microplastics has been linked to serious health issues. A Washington Post article associated these tiny pollutants with a greater risk of heart disease, kidney disease, Alzheimer's, and fertility issues. "This review highlights the urgent need for coordinated scientific and regulatory efforts," Boctor said. "Regulators, scientists, and industry must collaborate to close the loopholes before plastic pollution further entrenches itself in the global food chain." In hopes of preventing the creation of microplastics in the future, Boctor and his colleagues at the Bioplastics Innovation Hub are in the process of creating plastic that decomposes in both soil and water. There are also a lot of things you can do in your everyday life that reduce microplastic pollution. The key thing to do is to move away from using plastic. More eco-friendly kitchen utensils and containers, made of materials such as wood, glass, or ceramic, can prevent the release of microplastics in the dishwasher. Do you worry about using cleaning products with harsh chemicals in them? All the time Sometimes Not really No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Another way microplastics are released is through the clothes we wear. Man-made fibers like nylon and polyester shed every time we wash our clothes, so try to choose natural fibers, such as cotton and linen, when you can. Installing a filter on your washing machine is another great way to prevent microplastics from polluting the water system. Though these tiny pollutants are proving to be a mammoth problem to tackle, there are many scientists working on ingenious solutions. For example, some researchers at the University of British Columbia have discovered they can filter up to 99.99% of microplastics from water using sawdust and plant-based tannins. At Princeton Engineering, researchers have found a way to clean microplastics out of the ocean by using egg whites, and it is only a matter of time until even more scientific solutions for microplastic pollution are created. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
RNZ News
10-06-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Scientists issue warning over microplastics as study uncovers 'scary' spreading find
Photo: 123RF Scientists say microplastics are silently spreading from soils to salads to people. A review from Murdoch University in Western Australia has stressed that agricultural soils now hold around 23 times more microplastics than oceans or waterways. PhD candidate Joseph Boctor, who led the study, said the results were "scary" and "quite concerning". "It's not just abundant in soil, it gets uptaken by plants as well and that means our salad contains microplastics." Both microplastics and nanoplastics have now been found in lettuce, wheat and carrot crops "The problem with the soil is, because of agriculture we use a lot of plastic in agriculture as well. It depends on the country but a lot of countries use main agricultural practices that introduce more plastic into the soil. "These plastics are almost impossible to collect back because of weathering and conditions in the soil. So what happens is it breaks into smaller pieces and we have more microplastics in the soil." Boctor said common practices which could lead to plastic pollution included plastic mulching and fertiliser use. He said microplastics weren't just impacting plant and crop growth, but also increased the risk of exposure to toxins. "These microplastics are turning food-producing land into a plastic sink [for toxic compounds]." Boctor found the plastics in soil may be exposed to up to 10,000 chemical additives, most of which he said were unregulated in agriculture. "The problem is microplastics and nanoplastics are not just particles. They also attract additives. Think of it as small magnets attracting other toxic compounds." Alongside endocrine disruptors, the review pinpointed other additives in soil such as Phthalates (linked to reproductive issues), and PBDEs (neurotoxic flame retardants). These additives have been linked with neurodegenerative disease, increased risks of stroke and heart attack and early death. He said the review highlighted the urgent need for coordinated scientific and regulatory efforts. "These are not distant possibilities - they are unfolding within biological systems - silently and systematically," he said. Boctor is working alongside his colleagues at the Bioplastics Innovation Hub to create a type of plastic that is not only safe, but also decomposes in soil, land and water. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
