In recent years, the escalating presence of micro and nanoplastics has emerged as a growing environmental concern globally. With over 50 trillion microplastic particles estimated in the seas alone, surpassing the number of stars in our galaxy by 500 times, the issue demands urgent attention. A groundbreaking initiative led by scientists from the Mendel University Faculty of Agriculture (AF MENDELU), in collaboration with the Czech Academy of Sciences, seeks to unravel the intricate spread of plastic particles in agriculture, shedding light on a previously unexplored facet of the microplastic conundrum.

The World Wide Fund for Nature reports that the average person unwittingly ingests approximately five grams of microplastics per week, equivalent to the plastic content in a standard credit card. Recognizing the potential health implications of this alarming ingestion rate, researchers are intensifying efforts to comprehend the consequences, especially concerning nanoplastics that can enter the bloodstream and have been detected in breast milk and the human brain.

Pavel Horký, an expert from the Institute of Animal Nutrition and Fodder Farming at AF MENDELU, emphasized the pressing need for comprehensive research, particularly on nanoplastics, stating, “Big question marks, however, remain with nanoplastics, which can get into the blood and have also been discovered in breast milk and in the brain.” The research, initiated last spring, is employing innovative methods, including the development of a microfluidic chip and the application of Raman spectroscopy with optical tweezers for microplastic capture and analysis.

The multifaceted project aims to create a detection platform capable of analyzing the occurrence of micro and nanoplastics across the entire food pyramid. From soil to crops, farm animals, and potentially the human body, the researchers are determined to trace the journey of these plastics. In an unprecedented move, the scientists plan to conduct experiments involving poultry to observe how microplastics are transported within the animals’ organs, body parts, muscles, and blood.

The project, set to conclude in 2025, not only delves into laboratory experiments but also conducts real-world assessments near municipal waste dumps and on selected farms in South Moravia and Vysocina. The resulting analytical tool could potentially be commercialized, offering applications not only in agriculture but also in areas like state administration and human tissue research. As the research unfolds, it is poised to contribute valuable insights into the intricate dynamics of microplastics in agriculture, paving the way for informed strategies to mitigate their impact on both the environment and human health.

Article by Prague Forum