Sampriti Roy, University of Calcutta
The fractions of plastic debris that are less than 5 mm in the largest dimension or diameter are commonly referred to as microplastics. Microscopic plastic debris mainly results from the fragmentation of larger plastic debris that enters rivers and eventually reaches the oceans. Recent literature indicates that microplastic debris is indeed a ubiquitous problem around the world’s oceans and recently published research has revealed this contamination in the seafood that is prominently consumed throughout the world. According to research conducted by the University of Hull and Hull York Medical School, mussels, scallops, and oysters are found to possess the highest level of microplastic contamination among all seafood. Through a systematic review, the study has collated evidence from multiple studies, used robust methodology, and a bespoke RoB (Risk of Bias) assessment tool to estimate the quality of the studies related to human microplastics (MP) exposures.
Microplastics are present in the environment today in such magnitudes that it may be considered appropriate to label them the defining factors of the Anthropocene. As stated by study author Evangelos Danopoulos, this hyper object is particularly dangerous to the environment and human beings because even though many research initiatives have provided shreds of evidence of the harm they cause, we yet understand the total impact of microplastics on the human body. A crucial step in understanding is believed to be establishing the levels of seafood consumed and thereafter, find the amount of microplastic consumed through the same.
The study has shown that microplastic content was 0-10.5 microplastics per gram (MPs/g) in molluscs, 0-2.9 MPs/g in fish, 0.1-8.6 MPs/g in crustaceans and 1MPs/g in organisms of phylum Echinodermata. One of the most alarming quantities presented was an average annual human intake of MP particles- about 55,000.
The research took into account the seafood being consumed in China, Australia, Japan, US and Canada, who are amongst the largest consumers of molluscs, followed by the UK and Europe. Molluscs were also collected off the coast of Asia and these were the ones that were the most heavily contaminated, suggesting heavy plastic pollution in the areas. What is most concerning about molluscs like oysters and mussels, according to Danopoulos, is the mode of their consumption, i.e., their consumption in whole. This is especially concerning since microplastics have been prominently found in various parts of the liver and intestines of these edible seafood species. With respect to mammals and other fish which are consumed partly, consumption of molluscs presents more risk of microplastic entering the human system.
With recent studies on microplastics being observed in the human foetus, in penguins of Antarctica, and many other edible marine species, the world is presented with a problem that demands attention. Consensus on policies, environmental awareness and most of all, further research for the mitigation of this problem is the need of the hour. In a world where plastic waste is expected to triple by 2060, standardization of measurement methods and global cooperation are extremely essential in mitigating and tackling the snowballing problem.
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Source: https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7171
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