Plastics Pollution in Shellfish

 

It is estimated that up to 13 million metric tons of plastic ends up in the ocean each year—the equivalent of a garbage truck load’s worth every minute of every day. Fish, seabirds, sea turtles, and marine mammals can become entangled in or ingest plastic debris, causing suffocation, starvation, and drowning. Humans are not immune to this threat. While plastics are estimated to take up to hundreds of years to fully decompose, some of them break down much more quickly into tiny particles, called microplastics, which in turn end up in the seafood that we eat. 

A macroanalysis of over 50 studies conducted between 2014 and 2020 investigated the levels of microplastics contamination globally in fish and shellfish. Through mismanagement of the disposal of plastics in the oceans these tiny particles make their way into the tissues of marine animals, with mussels, oysters and scallops showing the highest levels of plastic pollution. Study author, Evangelos Danopoulos, a postgraduate student at Hull York Medical School said: “No one yet fully understands the full impact of microplastics on the human body, but early evidence from other studies suggests they do cause harm. Microplastics have been found in various parts of organisms such as the intestines and the liver. Seafood species like oysters, mussels and scallops are consumed whole whereas in larger fish and mammals only parts are consumed. Therefore, understanding the microplastic contamination of specific body parts, and their consumption by humans, is key.”

Animal research has linked consumption of microplastics particles to infertility, cellular inflammation and various cancers.

Think about all this when you buy things in plastic containers and how you might reduce your own use of plastics at home and work. Every little bit helps.