PARTNERSHIP: CROP EXPOSURE TO MICRO-NANOPLASTICS AND POTENTIAL IMPACT ON HUMAN NUTRITION AND HEALTH

Micro-nanoplastics (MNPs) are increasingly found in natural environments and in food and beverages consumed by humans. Recent studies have shown that MNPs can adsorb to plant surfaces and enter plant tissues, and that the presence of MNPs in soil adversely affects plant health and also alter plant uptake of other chemical environmental pollutants (EPs). Humans ingest an estimaged 5 g (one credit card) of MNPs per week and ingested MNPs can be taken up by the intestine and distributed to all organs and tissues throughout the body. The purpose of this project is to better understand the implications of MNP exposures on food crops and the transmission of MNPs and associated EPs to humans through ingestion of the edible portions of crops. We will create several relevant model MNPs for testing using degradation platforms that simulate incineration and environmental degradation of waste plastic. We will then systematically assess the interactions of these model MNPs with toxic EPs, including a typical toxic heavy metal (arsenic), a heavily used pesticide (boscalid), and a common perfluoroalkyl/polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFOS). To allow quantification of MNPs in our plant tissue and cellular samples the project includes the development of a 'pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GCMS)' method that will allow robust quantitative analysis of MNPs in our plant and cellular samples; We will then assess the responses to and uptake of MNPs and MNP effects on EP uptake in model plants (lettuce and wheat) and further assess the uptake of MNPs and impact of MNPs on EP uptake by the human small intestine, using a cellular small intestinal epithelial model. This project will provide important data on the environmental health implications of MNPs, which will help to avoid significant adverse effects in the future and to identify policy measures that should be adopted to curb plastics pollution.