A recent research published in the prestigious magazine Nature He launched a worrying alarm: The microplastics present in the air are able to penetrate the leaves of the plantscircumventing their defense system and crossing their membranes with surprising ease. This phenomenon exposes not only the vegetation, but also Herbivorous animals and humansat a concrete risk and more and more extensive.
According to the study, the microscopic particles most frequently detected inside the leaves belong to two widely widespread polymers: Tereftolato Polyethylene (PET) And the polystyrene (PS). These materials, commonly used for the production of packaging for drinks and synthetic fabrics, are transported by the air and deposited on plants also in areas far from urban centers.
To verify the extension of the phenomenon, scientists examined plants that grew up in Several ecosystemsincluding agricultural contexts and urban environments. The analyzes confirmed that, also far from the citiesplants absorb large quantities of microplastics which then integrate into the trophic chain, contaminating the organisms that are nourished.
Grano and lettuce also accumulate microplastics
The research examined Three botanical species of common use: wheat (Triticum Aestivum), the lettuce (Lactuca sativa) And Arabidopsis Thalianaa plant often used in workshops for scientific purposes. The results showed the presence of microplastics not only on the leaves, but also in the internal fabrics, suggesting that These polluting particles manage to infiltrate the vegetable lymphatic system.
It is not the first time that this phenomenon is observed. Previous studies conducted in Australia, also the leaves of the species Chirita Sinensis They had shown the ability to absorb microplastics from the environment. In some cases, absorption also takes place through the roots, leading toaccumulation of toxic substances within plants intended for human consumption.
This continuous exposure could explain why, for some years, Doctors and researchers detect traces of microplastics even in human bloodraising increasingly pressing questions about the long -term health effects.
