Researchers discover microplastics in 99% of seafood samples
1. Recent studies discover microplastics in all meat and produce products tested in research
Researchers have uncovered widespread microplastic contamination in seafood, adding to the mounting evidence that these dangerous substances are increasingly present in our food supply, posing a growing threat to human health.
A peer-reviewed study revealed that 99% of 180 seafood samples—purchased from stores or fishing boats in Oregon—contained microplastics. Shrimp were found to have the highest levels of harmful microplastics, according to The Guardian.
The researchers also identified the most common type of microplastic: fibers from clothing and textiles, which accounted for a staggering 80% of the substances detected.
Elise Granek, a microplastics researcher at Portland State University and co-author of the study, emphasized the severity of the issue, noting that the widespread use of plastics is directly contributing to their presence in our food. "As long as we’re using plastic on such a large scale in our daily lives, we’re going to see them in our food as well," Granek said.
Microplastics have been detected in water samples globally, and food is believed to be a primary route of exposure. Recent studies have found them in all tested meat and produce items.
Microplastic pollution can contain over 16,000 plastic chemicals, including PFAS, bisphenol, and phthalates. These substances are associated with health risks such as cancer, neurotoxicity, hormone disruption, and developmental toxicity. They can cross both the brain and placental barriers, and people with these chemicals in their heart tissues are twice as likely to experience a heart attack or stroke.
The study analyzed five types of fin fish and pink shrimp, discovering that microplastics can travel from gills and mouths into the meat that humans consume. Lingcod purchased from stores showed higher microplastic levels than those bought directly from fishing boats, though the difference was not significant.
Despite these findings, the study's authors do not recommend avoiding seafood altogether. Since microplastics are widely found in both meat and produce, changing your diet may not significantly reduce exposure. However, rinsing food before consumption could help reduce the presence of microplastics.
