French farmland tainted by widespread microplastic pollution, study finds

RFI

3 January 2025 at 10:49 am·1-min read

Plastic mulch, agricultural films and wastewater irrigation are among the practices that may contribute to soil contamination.

French researchers have found microplastics in more than three-quarters of agricultural soil samples tested across the country, raising fresh concerns about plastic pollution beyond the oceans.

While a number of studies have already focused on how microplastics contaminate the oceans, we know far less about the extent to which they pollute the soil.

A recent study led by the French Agency for Ecological Transition (ADEME) analysed 33 soil samples from forests, meadows, vineyards, orchards and large-scale crop areas.

Microplastics were detected in 25 of the samples, or 76 percent.

Forest soils were the least affected, with only a quarter showing contamination.

Study reveals microplastics can enter human brain through nasal pathway

Tiny particles, big problem

Microplastics are particles smaller than five millimetres, created as plastic materials break down in landfills or the natural environment.

On average, the contaminated soils contained 15 microplastic particles per kilogram of dry soil.

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Tiny particles, big problem

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