Microplastic pollution threatens global food security, study warns

Microplastic pollution is significantly harming global food production by reducing plants’ ability to photosynthesize, potentially worsening hunger worldwide, a new study has found.

The research estimates that 4% to 14% of staple crops like wheat, rice, and maize are being lost due to microplastic contamination. This could place 400 million more people at risk of starvation over the next two decades, adding to the 700 million already affected by hunger in 2022.

Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study analyzed 3,000 observations from 157 studies, revealing that microplastics block sunlight, disrupt soil quality, and introduce toxins, all of which hinder plant growth. The impact extends to marine ecosystems, reducing fish and seafood production by up to 7% annually.

Asia faces the most significant crop losses, followed by Europe and the U.S., while the oceans suffer from declining fish populations. Scientists stress the urgency of tackling plastic pollution, with global treaty negotiations set to resume in August after a previous failure to reach an agreement in December.

While some experts urge caution, calling for more data to refine predictions, the study underscores the need for immediate action to safeguard global food security.