Micro(Nano) Plastics in Agricultural Systems: A Systematic Analysis of Pollution Dynamics in Fruits and Vegetables and Preliminary Dietary Exposure Estimation

Micro(nano) plastics (MNPs) are an unquestionable and significant environmental problem because of their greater persistence, widespread use and possible incursion into terrestrial ecosystems, particularly plants. The complex interactions between MNPs and soil are highlighted in this study, with particular attention paid to their absorption, fate, transport, and ensuing physiological consequences in the plant system. However, very little is known about the dangers of these particles being consumed by people via food contaminated with MNPs. Therefore, the purpose of this work was also to do a preliminary dietary exposure estimation of MNPs in VFs and to critically analyze the data that is currently available for MNPs in actual VFs. MNP concentrations in VFs ranged widely, from 1.8 to 195,500 p/g and 0.08–19.84 µg/g. Three indicators, pollution load index (PLI), estimated daily intake (EDI), and chronic daily intake (CDI) for adults and children for each type of VF, were chosen and established for a thorough assessment. Broccoli had the greatest pollution load index (PLI = 290) with a relative pollution level of IV. The EDI and CDI of MPs obtained for VFs varied from a minimum of 0.191 and 0.465 to a maximum of 6.408 × 105 MP/kg BW/day and 5.681 × 1013 MP/kg BW/day, respectively. Given the findings, toxicological and epidemiological research must be done to look at the potential health impacts of MNPs.