Hidden Soil Contamination with Microplastics: Urgent Revision of Standards Recommended for Environmental Protection and Food Security
Irtiqa Imini Pishgiri Masdumiyat (Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention),
Vol. 13 No. 1 (1404),
2 Azar 2025
,
Page ۲۵ - ۲۱
https://doi.org/10.22037/iipm.v13i1.50641
Abstract
Microplastics, as emerging contaminants, are widely present in wastewater and pose potential risks to both environmental and human health. These particles disrupt the functioning of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, infiltrate the food chain, and threaten public health. The present article is based on the findings of an applied research study titled “Investigation of agricultural soil contamination around southern Tehran wastewater treatment plant to microplastics and heavy metal”, which also includes the determination of heavy metal concentrations within microplastic particles. The study aims to analyze and elucidate the necessity of revising standards for the use of urban wastewater and the quality of soil resources, in light of the increasing contamination of soil, water resources, and wastewater by microplastic particles.
Innovative strategies are proposed to address the complex environmental and health challenges posed by microplastic pollution. The results of the study indicate the presence of microplastics in surface soil (up to a depth of 15 cm) at a concentration of 439.5 ± 5.42 particles per kilogram.
Current standards predominantly focus on chemical parameters and pathogenic agents, while microplastic particles (less than 5 mm in size) are systematically excluded from these regulations. Existing agricultural soil and soil quality standards lack defined thresholds for permissible microplastic concentrations. Meanwhile, studies estimate that approximately 123,000 to 430,000 tons of microplastics are annually introduced into agricultural soils via organic fertilizers and wastewater.
Therefore, it is imperative to update existing standards to incorporate limitations and criteria for the presence and control of microplastics in wastewater, ensuring safer agricultural and other applications. The inclusion of new criteria in urban sewage and agricultural soil standards must be designed to enable effective monitoring and control at both laboratory and field levels.
Please cite this article as:
Eslami A, Rafee M, Mozaffar Ghadirli M, Hashemi M. Hidden Soil Contamination with Microplastics: Urgent Revision of Standards Recommended for Environmental Protection and Food Security. Irtiqa Imini Pishgiri Masdumiyat .2026;13(1):19-25. https://doi.org/10.22037/iipm.v11i3.50641
- Microplastic
- Heavy metals
- Agricultural soil
- Raman spectroscopy
- Standard 15633
- Soil resource quality standard
How to Cite
References
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