How microplastics could lead to millions of people starving

This is an “alarming scenario” for global food security, researchers are warning as they describe their findings about microplastics hindering plant growth. Subscribe to The Guardian on YouTube ► http://bit.ly/subscribegdn The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences earlier this month, combined more than 3,000 observations of the impact of microplastics on plants, taken from 157 studies. They found that the world’s staple crops – such as wheat, maize and rice – are under threat from pervasive particles. “Humanity has been striving to increase food production to feed an ever-growing population [but] these ongoing efforts are now being jeopardised by plastic pollution,” said the researchers, led by Prof Huan Zhong, at Nanjing University in China. People’s bodies are already widely contaminated by microplastics, consumed through food and water. They have been found in blood, brains, breast milk, placentas and bone marrow. The impact on human health is largely unknown, but they have been linked to strokes and heart attacks. To understand exactly how microplastics are threatening millions of people with starvation, watch this video explainer with our environment editor, Damian Carrington – and here for his deeper reporting ► https://ift.tt/dgYknrc The Guardian publishes independent journalism, made possible by supporters. Contribute to The Guardian today ► https://bit.ly/3biVfwh Sign up to the Guardian's free new daily newsletter, First Edition ► https://ift.tt/PYNtJZd Website ► https://ift.tt/rjbx7XE Facebook ► https://ift.tt/6hqDpt2 Twitter ► https://twitter.com/guardian Instagram ► https://ift.tt/2vbgr1q The Guardian on YouTube: Guardian News ► https://bit.ly/guardiannewssubs Guardian Australia ► https://bit.ly/guardianaussubs Guardian Football ► https://bit.ly/gdnfootballsubs Guardian Sport ► https://bit.ly/gdnsportsubs It's Complicated ► https://bit.ly/ItsComplicatedSubs Guardian Live ► https://bit.ly/guardianlivesubs #microplastics #plastic #plasticpollution #nanoplastic #plasticwaste #recycling #photosynthesis #foodshortages #food #foodproduction