When we think of threats to our food supply, we might picture drought, pests, or even rising grocery prices.
But there’s a new, largely invisible menace quietly taking root beneath our feet—and it’s not just bad news for farmers, but for all of us who enjoy a good Australian salad or a slice of toast.
A recent study from Perth’s Murdoch University has revealed that Australian agricultural soils are now acting as ‘plastic sinks’, holding a staggering 23 times more microplastics than the world’s oceans.
Yes, you read that right—the very land that grows our food is now more polluted with microplastics than the vast blue seas we’ve long worried about.
How did our farmland become a plastic dump?
Microplastics—those tiny fragments less than 5mm in size—are everywhere. They come from the breakdown of larger plastics, synthetic fabrics, and even the wear and tear of tyres. But how did they end up in our soil, and more importantly, in our food?
The Murdoch University study, led by PhD candidate Joseph Boctor, found that microplastics and even smaller nanoplastics are entering crops like lettuce, wheat, and carrots. Who are the culprits?
Plastic mulching (those sheets farmers use to keep weeds at bay), contaminated fertilisers, and even microplastics falling from the sky, carried by clouds.
It’s not just the plastics themselves that are a worry. These tiny particles can carry up to 10,000 different chemical additives, most of which are unregulated in agriculture. That means our soils, and the food grown in them, are being exposed to a chemical cocktail we know very little about.
What’s the risk to our health?
If you’re thinking, ‘Well, I wash my veggies, so I’m safe,’ think again. Microplastics have been detected not just on the surface, but inside the tissues of plants.
And it doesn’t stop there—scientists have found microplastics in human lungs, brains, hearts, blood, and even placentae.
It’s a sobering thought: the plastic pollution we’ve created is now circulating through our own bodies.
Many of these plastics contain bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical linked to health issues such as prostate and brain problems in infants and foetuses, as well as high blood pressure and heart disease.
While Food Standards Australia New Zealand reassures us that BPA exposure is low and decreasing, Boctor warns that ‘BPA-free does not equal risk-free’.
Replacement chemicals like BPF and BPS may be just as bad, or even worse, when it comes to disrupting our hormones.
Other additives found in soil plastics include phthalates (linked to reproductive issues) and PBDEs, which are neurotoxic flame retardants.
These chemicals have been associated with neurodegenerative diseases, increased risk of stroke and heart attack, and even early death.
As Boctor puts it, ‘These are not distant possibilities—they are unfolding within biological systems—silently and systematically.’
Why is this happening?
One of the biggest problems is that regulation simply can’t keep up with the pace of scientific discovery or industry innovation.
The plastic industry is notoriously secretive about the additives it uses, making it difficult for regulators to assess the risks or close loopholes.
As a result, the plastic crisis continues unchecked, and our health is left exposed.
Boctor and his colleagues at the Bioplastics Innovation Hub (a partnership between CSIRO and Murdoch University) are working on solutions, including the development of ‘green plastics’ that break down safely in soil and water.
But until these alternatives are widely adopted, the problem is only likely to grow.
What can be done?
The study’s authors are calling for urgent, coordinated action from scientists, regulators, and industry.
We need better transparency about what’s in our plastics, stricter regulation of chemical additives, and more research into the long-term effects of microplastics on our health and environment.
In the meantime, what can you do as a consumer? Here are a few ideas:
- Support farmers and brands that use sustainable, plastic-free practices.
- Reduce your own plastic use wherever possible—every bit helps.
- Wash your produce thoroughly, though this won’t remove plastics inside the plant.
- Stay informed and advocate for stronger environmental protections.
A wake-up call for all Australians
This isn’t just a problem for scientists or policymakers—it’s a wake-up call for all of us. The choices we make, from the packaging we buy to the policies we support, have a direct impact on the health of our land, our food, and ultimately, ourselves.
Have you noticed more plastic in your life than ever before? Are you concerned about what’s lurking in your food? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Share your comments below and join the conversation—together, we can shine a light on this hidden threat and push for a cleaner, healthier future for all Australians.
Also read: Is your kitchen full of microplastics? Here’s what to do
