From tyre to tummy: Tyre microplastics absorbed by lettuce roots

Lettuce roots are able to absorb the microplastics that are released from car tyres during daily use. — Gabriel Sigmund/Universität Wien/dpa

Microplastics released into the environment by car tyres have the potential to accumulate in lettuce and other plants we eat.

This is according to a laboratory study that underlines the environmental threat posed by traffic pollution.