By Teboho Serutla
Two scientific studies published in June 2020 and conducted by Plastic Soup Foundation, micro plastics contaminate the fruit and vegetables that people consume.
According to the first peer-reviewed study by University of Catania scientist Margherita Ferrante, apples are the most contaminated fruit while carrots are the vegetables most affected.
A second peer-reviewed study revealed that plastic is being sucked up with water through the root systems of food crops.
The study was performed jointly by Dr. Lianzhen Li of the Yanthai Institute of Coastal Zone Research in China and Professor Willie Peijnenburg from Leiden University in the Netherlands.
Professor Peijnenburg found micro plastics are penetrating the roots of lettuce and wheat plants, after which they are transported to the edible above-ground plant parts.
For decades, scientists have believed that plastic particles are too large to pass through the physical barriers of intact plant tissue. But this new research casts doubts on this – with root vegetables such as carrots, radishes, turnips and leafy vegetables like lettuce found to be most at risk of micro plastic contamination. Campaigners believe these new findings cast serious doubts over the safety of the food people eat.
According to the head of exploration in the United Nations Development Programme-Lesotho UNDP, Neo Matsoso, the abovementioned issues about plastic could be true.
“We had a panel of experts during the launch of this plastic project, where we had the likes of Professor Mantoa Sekota who taught us a lot about plastic in a variety of terminologies in regards to the chemicals within single used plastics, and what they may contain and cause,” she stated.
She added that maybe this is why they are targeting single used plastic because they possess a lot of contamination.
“Within the project, we also need to work with our higher learning institutions who can conduct research for us.
As soon as we come out of these researches, we will be able to detail all the issues related to plastic in Lesotho; both positive and negative,” she concluded.
Matsoso declared that the campaign on plastic free Wednesday seems to be going on nationwide since it began last month. But she noted some complaints from various quarters of customers.
“We are also visiting district community radios such as that in Mafeteng, Butha-Buthe and Hlotse. We will also be visiting the communities through their local councils,” Matsoso adds.
