A new study by researchers from Portland State University and Oregon State University has found microplastics in 99% of the seafood samples tested. The research analyzed 182 seafood specimens, including black rockfish, lingcod, Chinook salmon, Pacific herring, Pacific lamprey, and pink shrimp, collected from retail markets and fishing vessels along the Oregon coast. Out of these, 180 samples contained microplastics or other synthetic particles, with pink shrimp showing the highest contamination levels. Microfibers, primarily from textiles, were the most common form of plastic pollution detected.
The findings raise concerns about potential health risks, as microplastics can carry toxic chemicals linked to hormonal imbalances and cancer. Researchers warned that these particles could transfer from the digestive systems of marine life into the parts humans consume. Processed seafood from retail outlets showed higher contamination than freshly caught samples, suggesting that handling and packaging may increase exposure. The study emphasizes the need for policy changes, including improved filtration systems in washing machines and a reduction in plastic use, to curb microplastic pollution in the environment. More