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Info Service on Sustainable Agriculture Agrochemicals a Major Source of Microplastic Pollution One of the least known and most significant sources of microplastic pollution is their deliberate addition to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides used in industrial agriculture. Sold as sustainable, environmentally-friendly, and efficient, these microplastic-coated slow- or controlled-release fertilizers (SRFs and CRFs) compound the already significant harms of chemical-based pesticides and fertilizers by enhancing toxicity and increasing mobility. These deliberately added microplastics are a new, dangerous facet of the toxic triad formed by agrochemicals, plastics, and the fossil fuels used to make them. The use of plastics and agrochemicals in tandem exemplifies overreliance on fossil fuel-based products and highlights its interconnected impacts on climate change, biodiversity loss, and toxic plastic pollution. With mounting evidence showing microplastics have the potential to not only cross biological barriers in the human body but also to adsorb and transport other toxic chemicals, their intentional use in agrochemicals introduces a new array of health and environmental harms. A recent report exposes these concerns and provides recommendations for governments, including: 1) End the use of intentionally added microplastics in the agricultural sector and across all manufactured products 2) Deepen research on the harms of microplastics and impose strict industry disclosure requirements 3) Curb dependency on industrial agriculture and chemical fertilizers and pesticides 4) Adopt a comprehensive global approach to plastics regulation With
best wishes, 覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧・ SOWING A PLASTIC PLANET: NEW REPORT EXPOSES INTENTIONAL USE OF MICROPLASTICS ON FOOD CROPS Center
for International Environmental Law (CIEL) Washington, DC ・New analysis from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) exposes a little known but growing driver of microplastic pollution in the environment, agricultural soils, and our food supply. The report, Sowing a Plastic Planet: How Microplastics in Agrochemicals Are Affecting Our Soils, Our Food, and Our Future, reveals the underrecognized threat presented by the increasing and intentional use of microplastics in agricultural pesticides and fertilizers. It also identifies priorities for halting this pervasive but preventable source of pollution. Deliberately added microplastics are a new, dangerous facet of the toxic triad formed by agrochemicals, plastics, and the fossil fuels used to make them. Sold as sustainable, environmentally-friendly, and efficient, these slow- or controlled-release fertilizers (SRFs and CRFs) compound the already significant harms of chemical-based pesticides and fertilizers by enhancing toxicity and increasing mobility. With mounting evidence showing microplastics have the potential to not only cross biological barriers in the human body but also to adsorb and transport other toxic chemicals, their intentional use in agrochemicals introduces a new array of health and environmental harms. 鼎oating fertilizers and pesticides in microplastics makes already toxic substances even more dangerous to human health and ecosystem,・says Carroll Muffett, CIEL痴 President. 鄭s one of the most direct and preventable sources of microplastic pollution, and as a contributor to the climate crisis, microplastics must be banned from agricultural use as a critical step toward eliminating overuse of petroleum-based pesticides and fertilizers more broadly.・/font> The industry痴 rise points to a critical problem that must be part of national and international responses to the plastics pollution crisis, including upcoming negotiations for a global plastic treaty. The analysis shows:
鄭dding microplastics to agrochemicals accelerates an already toxic situation,・ says Giulia Carlini, Senior Attorney at CIEL and co-author. 展e are talking about an intentional introduction. Therefore, the resulting impacts ・from exacerbating the plastic pollution crisis to threats to human health and inhibiting ecosystem function ・are entirely preventable. We do not have to wait for more research. The evidence demands that decision-makers take steps to prevent the intentional production, use, and release of microplastics in all forms. Decision-makers should use the precautionary principle to take urgent action and implement a wide range of measures that prevent future harm.・/font> What others are saying about this report: Christina Dixon, Ocean Campaign Leader at Environmental Investigation Agency: 典his timely report finally shines a light on the industrial agricultural sector as one of the most significant users of intentionally added microplastics. Here we are not just talking about the plastics that break down from mulch, silage and polytunnels used on farms, but pesticides and fertilisers encased within plastics and intentionally spread on crops and the soil in which our food grows. The evidence presented here sounds the alarm about the urgent need for the global regulation of plastics and a dedicated workstream within the forthcoming plastics treaty to ensure recognition of the substantial threat to the environment, food security and health posed by agriplastics.・/i> Jason Davidson, Senior Food and Agriculture Campaigner at Friends of the Earth: 鄭grochemical corporations being allowed to intentionally add toxic microplastics to their already harmful products is yet another example of [the US] Environmental Protection Agency痴 failure to adequately regulate this industry. We must overhaul our broken pesticide regulations, rapidly transition away from chemical-intensive monocultures and invest in ecologically regenerative food production that drastically reduces our reliance on Big Ag and Big Oil痴 toxic products.・nbsp; Anna Lapp・ author, sustainable food advocate, and Food Sovereignty Fund director at the Panta Rhea Foundation: Intentionally adding microplastics to pesticides and fertilizers is a solution in search of a problem We do not need pesticides or synthetic fertilizers ・and we certainly don稚 need microplastics ・to feed the world. Evidence from around the world has made it clear that ecological alternatives to these fossil-fuel inputs abound. Indeed, truly climate-friendly food production擁ncluding organic agriculture and agroecological practices ・rejects the fossil economy and helps foster ecosystem health, biodiversity, and climate stability. Taking action on this dangerous use of plastics is vital. Our health, the preservation of food systems, and the environment demand it. Dr. Tadesse Amera, CoChair-International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN), Ethiopia: The fertilizer and pesticide industries have poisoned our land, water, and food for decades ・and now escalate the health threats from toxic chemicals in plastics and microplastics in their dangerous mix. We need to promote and increase investing into agroecology and transform food systems to support healthy and sustainable livelihoods for farmers and Indigenous Peoples. Media contact: Cate Bonacini, press@ciel.org, +1-202-742-5847 覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧- SOWING A PLASTIC PLANET HOW MICROPLASTICS IN AGROCHEMICALS ARE AFFECTING OUR SOILS, OUR FOOD, AND OUR FUTURE Center
for International Environmental Law (CIEL) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND KEY FINDINGS Tiny particles of plastic ・or microplastic ・are accumulating across the planet in even the most remote areas, in the air, in water, in soil, in plants, and in animals, including in our bodies. Humans are ingesting and breathing plastics and the toxins they contain through this continued environmental exposure. One of the least known and most concerning sources of microplastic pollution is their deliberate addition to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides used in industrial agriculture. Plastics are everywhere in agriculture, from greenhouse films and landscaping fabrics to crop coverings and product packaging. Many of these uses provide pathways for plastic contamination. But the application of plastic-coated agrochemicals to soils and crops directly introduces microplastic into the environment and potentially into the food supply. It also compounds the health and environmental hazards posed by agrochemicals themselves. Synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, derived primarily from oil and gas-based feedstocks, are already some of the most toxic substances in use today. Encapsulating them in microplastic, itself fossil fuel in another form, only heightens the risks. By providing a vector that carries toxins, is easily dispersed, and is readily absorbed in the human body, the microplastic coating on fertilizers and pesticides combines the harmful impacts of intentional plastic pollution and the overuse of agrochemicals, aggravating existing threats to human, ecological, and planetary health. One hundred percent of the microplastic applied directly to soil and crops has the potential to pollute. Because of its deliberate and controlled nature, microplastic pollution from plastic-coated agrochemicals is especially egregious, but it is also readily preventable. The only barriers are public awareness of the problem and political will to tackle it at its source by regulating the plastics industry. This briefing exposes the underrecognized threat presented by the intentional use of microplastics in the agricultural sector and identifies priorities for halting this pervasive but preventable source of pollution. It reveals yet another facet of the toxic triad formed by agrochemicals, plastics, and the fossil fuels used to make them. Exposing critical questions and evidentiary gaps in the industry痴 portrayal of plastic-coated agrochemicals as efficient or sustainable, the briefing outlines why encapsulating pesticides and fertilizers in plastic only compounds hazards, magnifying environmental and health risks. The briefing concludes with recommendations on ending the use of intentionally added microplastics in agriculture and beyond; enhancing understanding of the harms of microplastics; curbing dependency on industrial agriculture and synthetic fertilizers and pesticides; and adopting a comprehensive global approach to plastics regulation. Key Findings ・ Despite receiving little public attention to date, the agricultural sector is one of the most significant users of intentionally added microplastics. ・ The deliberate dispersion of microplastics in the environment through the application of plastic-coated fertilizers and pesticides is one of the most direct and preventable sources of growing microplastic pollution in agricultural soils. ・ The use of plastic-coated synthetic fertilizers and pesticides is rising, with producers marketing their 田ontrolled-release・function as key to sustainable, climate-friendly agriculture. ・ Encapsulating agrochemicals in plastic and spreading them across soils and crops only compounds the significant health and environmental risks posed by agrochemicals and may exacerbate their harmful impacts. ・ Governments should act now to close regulatory gaps and comprehensively ban the intentional use of microplastics in agriculture and other industries.
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