When indulging in a delightful piece of fish or a seafood feast, we not only benefit from essential omega-3s and vitamin D but also unintentionally consume a less palatable component – an abundance of micro- and nano-plastics.
These minuscule plastic particles, less than 5 millimetres in size, infiltrate our oceans through human waste, infiltrating the marine food chain. An Ifremer study discovered approximately 24,400 billion microplastics floating on the ocean’s surface.
From microalgae to fish, these particles infiltrate all marine organisms, endangering ecosystems and posing potential health risks to humans.
The accumulation of these pollutants in marine life and their threats to human health is a topic of concern.
Since the 1950s, plastic production has skyrocketed, resulting in vast amounts of waste. These plastics break down over time into microplastics and nanoplastics, contaminating the environment in its entirety.
The phenomenon of plastics accumulating in organisms across various food chain levels is termed ‘bioaccumulation.’
Studies have shown that microplastics can have detrimental effects on marine animals, causing digestive system blockages, immune responses, DNA damage, and genetic interference.
High levels of phthalates present in plastics are endocrine disruptors, potentially posing risks to marine and human health.
Consuming seafood contaminated with microplastics can lead to ingestion of thousands of particles annually, raising concerns about potential health impacts on humans.
The urgent need to address plastic bioaccumulation in the food chain calls for swift action in reducing plastic usage and enhancing recycling technologies, combating this environmental and health crisis.
Amélie Châtel, Professor in Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Catholic University of the West
This article has been republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. You can access the original article here.
Vocabulary List:
- Microplastics /ˌmaɪ.kroʊˈplæstɪks/ (noun): Small plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size often resulting from the breakdown of larger plastics.
- Bioaccumulation /ˌbaɪoʊ.əˌkjuː.mjʊˈleɪʃən/ (noun): The process by which substances such as pollutants accumulate in living organisms.
- Infiltrate /ˈɪn.fɪl.traɪt/ (verb): To enter or gain access to often in a gradual or stealthy way.
- Ecosystems /ˌiː.koʊˈsɪs.təm/ (noun): A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
- Detrimental /ˌdɛtrɪˈmɛn.tl/ (adjective): Causing harm or damage.
- Endocrine disruptors /ˈɛn.doʊ.kraɪn dɪsˈrʌp.tərz/ (noun): Chemicals that can interfere with endocrine (hormonal) systems at certain doses.
How much do you know?
What is one of the potential health risks posed by microplastics to humans?
What term is used to describe the phenomenon of plastics accumulating in organisms across various food chain levels?
Which type of plastic particles are less than 5 millimetres in size?
What is a potential effect of high levels of phthalates present in plastics?
What action is recommended to address plastic bioaccumulation in the food chain?
What is the term used to describe plastic particles smaller than microplastics?
Consuming seafood contaminated with microplastics does not raise any concerns about potential health impacts on humans.
The accumulation of microplastics in marine life poses no threats to human health.
Plastic production has been decreasing since the 1950s.
Phthalates found in plastics are not considered endocrine disruptors.
Addressing plastic bioaccumulation in the food chain requires swift action in reducing plastic usage.
The ingestion of thousands of microplastic particles annually from seafood consumption does not pose potential health risks to humans.
The Ifremer study discovered approximately 24,400 billion floating on the ocean's surface.
Plastics break down over time into microplastics and , contaminating the environment.
High levels of phthalates present in plastics are considered disruptors.
The urgent need to address plastic bioaccumulation in the food chain calls for swift action in reducing plastic usage and enhancing technologies.
Studies have shown that microplastics have detrimental effects on marine animals, causing digestive system blockages, immune responses, DNA damage, and genetic .
Since the 1950s, plastic production has skyrocketed, resulting in vast amounts of .
