Overview

• A University of Plymouth team reports the first experimental evidence of nanoplastic accumulation inside a vegetable, published in Environmental Research.
• After five days, nearly 5% of nanoparticles in the solution were retained by roots, with about a quarter of that in the fleshy root and roughly 10% in leaves.
• The experiment exposed radish roots to polystyrene nanoparticles in a hydroponic system, enabling precise tracking with a radiolabel.
• Findings indicate a potential food-chain exposure pathway for humans and animals through consumed produce.
• Researchers stress that prevalence across crops and growing conditions and the health implications remain unclear and require further study.