Microplastics in Agricultural Crops and Their Possible Impact on Farmers’ Health: A Review

Eva Masciarelli, Laura Casorri, Marco Di Luigi (), Claudio Beni, Massimiliano Valentini, Erica Costantini, Lisa Aielli and Marcella Reale
Additional contact information
Eva Masciarelli: Department of Technological Innovations and Safety of Plants, Products and Anthropic Settlements, National Institute for Insurance Against Accidents at Work, Via R. Ferruzzi, 38/40, 00143 Rome, Italy
Laura Casorri: Department of Technological Innovations and Safety of Plants, Products and Anthropic Settlements, National Institute for Insurance Against Accidents at Work, Via R. Ferruzzi, 38/40, 00143 Rome, Italy
Marco Di Luigi: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, National Institute for Insurance Against Accidents at Work, Via di Fontana Candida, 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy
Claudio Beni: Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processing, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Via della Pascolare, 16, Monterotondo, 00015 Rome, Italy
Massimiliano Valentini: Research Centre for Food and Nutrition, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Via Ardeatina, 546, 00178 Rome, Italy
Erica Costantini: Department Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University “G. d’Annunzio”, Via dei Vestini, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Lisa Aielli: Department Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University “G. d’Annunzio”, Via dei Vestini, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Marcella Reale: Department Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University “G. d’Annunzio”, Via dei Vestini, 66100 Chieti, Italy

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 22, issue 1, 1-33

Abstract: The indiscriminate use of plastic products and their inappropriate management and disposal contribute to the increasing presence and accumulation of this material in all environmental zones. The chemical properties of plastics and their resistance to natural degradation lead over time to the production of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics, which are dispersed in soil, water, and air and can be absorbed by plants, including those grown for food. In agriculture, MPs can come from many sources (mulch film, tractor tires, compost, fertilizers, and pesticides). The possible effects of this type of pollution on living organisms, especially humans, increase the need to carry out studies to assess occupational exposure in agriculture. It would also be desirable to promote alternative materials to plastic and sustainable agronomic practices to protect the safety and health of agricultural workers.

Keywords: microplastics; impact on agricultural; crops; environmental safety; occupational risk; human health; agricultural workers safety (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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