Letter to the editor regarding the article 'Persistence in soil of microplastic films from ultra-thin compostable plastic bags and implications on soil Aspergillus flavus population' by Accinelli et al.., Waste Management 113 (2020) 312-318

摘要

Accinelli et al.1 tested the degradation and the effect on Aspergillus flavus of ultra-thin (UT) compostable produce bags. From the title and throughout the article, the authors anticipate two environmental and health problems: (1) the formation of persistent "compostable film microplastic particles" (CFMPs) and (2) the potential impact of CFMPs on aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus populations. Compostable bags release into the soil CFMPs, which are colonised by aflatoxigenic A. flavus strains. This leads to an increase in A. flavus DNA in soil. The authors conclude, "these results suggest that burying compostable film in soil, or application of compost containing CFMPs, may reduce soil quality and increase risk of adverse impacts from elevated aflatoxigenic A. flavus populations in soil". This warning is placed in the context of "increasing number of states and municipalities" that "are choosing to reduce plastic litter by replacing plastic items, particularly single-use ones, with same-use products manufactured from compostable plastics" and therefore "regulation should be seriously considered".