‘Microplastics in farmlands a matter of concern’

Patna: Recent findings of microplastics and nanoplastics in the farmlands of Bihar have sounded an alarm bell among the environmentalists. The presence of these wastes in the food chain can lead to various diseases in human beings.
At present, studies have indicated the presence of microplastics, tiny materials less than 5mm in diameter, in the agricultural fields and crops of two districts, namely, Bhagalpur and Buxar, only. However, it may be found in the agricultural fields of some other districts, if a detailed study was made, claim the scientists.
Expressing his grave concern over the finding of microplastics in some fields the Bihar State Pollution Control Board’s chairman Ashok Kumar Ghosh told this newspaper that because of the extensive use of plastics (recently, the single-use plastic along with thermocol products have been banned by the government of India across the country), microplastics have become a serious environmental issue. “The presence of microplastics in the agricultural fields of the state is indeed a matter of serious concern,” he said.
Ghosh said the plastic wastes that accumulate in the environment are broken down into smaller fragments and particles due to physical, chemical or biological activities, gradually forming microplastics. Due to various human activities, such as plastic mulching, sewage, fertiliser coatings and littering, soil has become the largest reservoir of the microplastics.
“The microplastics and nanoplastics have been exposed to humans via various pathways, such as tap and bottled water, beverages, seafood, milk, salt, fruits and vegetables. Recent studies conducted in various parts of the world have also indicated that the microplastics can enter into blood cells of the human body and cause organ toxicity and dysfunctional metabolic activities, resulting in carcinogenic disease,” he said.
Ghosh, who is also associated with the city-based Mahavir Cancer Sansthan as its research centre head, further pointed out that the consumption of microplastics was significantly associated with diseases like infertility, obesity, cancer and others.
He said even though studies on human health due to ingestion or inhalation of the microplastics and the nanoplastics have been getting attention recently, more studies are required on the mechanism of the damage caused at the molecular and cellular level due to consumption of the microplastics and nanoplastics. “Data gaps related to the potential nanoplastics formation in the gastrointestinal tract of human beings should be studied in greater detail,” he said.
Patna University’s biotechnology teacher Birendra Prasad also observed that recent studies indicate microplastics as ubiquitous environmental concerns.