Microplastics in bivalves cultured for human consumption
- PMID: 25005888
- DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2014.06.010
Microplastics in bivalves cultured for human consumption
Abstract
Microplastics are present throughout the marine environment and ingestion of these plastic particles (<1 mm) has been demonstrated in a laboratory setting for a wide array of marine organisms. Here, we investigate the presence of microplastics in two species of commercially grown bivalves: Mytilus edulis and Crassostrea gigas. Microplastics were recovered from the soft tissues of both species. At time of human consumption, M. edulis contains on average 0.36 ± 0.07 particles g(-1) (wet weight), while a plastic load of 0.47 ± 0.16 particles g(-1) ww was detected in C. gigas. As a result, the annual dietary exposure for European shellfish consumers can amount to 11,000 microplastics per year. The presence of marine microplastics in seafood could pose a threat to food safety, however, due to the complexity of estimating microplastic toxicity, estimations of the potential risks for human health posed by microplastics in food stuffs is not (yet) possible.
Keywords: Crassostrea gigas; Human food chain; Ingestion; Microplastics; Mytilus edulis.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Similar articles
-
Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in market bivalves from South Korea.Environ Pollut. 2019 Feb;245:1107-1116. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.11.091. Epub 2018 Nov 29. Environ Pollut. 2019. PMID: 30682745
-
Microplastics are taken up by mussels (Mytilus edulis) and lugworms (Arenicola marina) living in natural habitats.Environ Pollut. 2015 Apr;199:10-7. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.01.008. Epub 2015 Jan 21. Environ Pollut. 2015. PMID: 25617854
-
Microplastics in mussels along the coastal waters of China.Environ Pollut. 2016 Jul;214:177-184. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.04.012. Epub 2016 Apr 14. Environ Pollut. 2016. PMID: 27086073
-
A critical view on microplastic quantification in aquatic organisms.Environ Res. 2015 Nov;143(Pt B):46-55. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2015.07.016. Epub 2015 Aug 3. Environ Res. 2015. PMID: 26249746 Review.
-
Marine microplastic debris: An emerging issue for food security, food safety and human health.Mar Pollut Bull. 2018 Aug;133:336-348. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.05.047. Epub 2018 Jun 19. Mar Pollut Bull. 2018. PMID: 30041323 Review.
Cited by
-
Microplastic Release from Single-Use Plastic Beverage Cups.Foods. 2024 May 17;13(10):1564. doi: 10.3390/foods13101564. Foods. 2024. PMID: 38790864 Free PMC article.
-
Identification and Visualization of Polystyrene Microplastics/Nanoplastics in Flavored Yogurt by Raman Imaging.Toxics. 2024 Apr 30;12(5):330. doi: 10.3390/toxics12050330. Toxics. 2024. PMID: 38787108 Free PMC article.
-
A critical review of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems: Degradation mechanisms and removing strategies.Environ Sci Ecotechnol. 2024 Apr 25;21:100427. doi: 10.1016/j.ese.2024.100427. eCollection 2024 Sep. Environ Sci Ecotechnol. 2024. PMID: 38765892 Free PMC article. Review.
-
The first reported values of microplastics in prostate.BMC Urol. 2024 May 14;24(1):106. doi: 10.1186/s12894-024-01495-8. BMC Urol. 2024. PMID: 38745203 Free PMC article.
-
Fast compressive Raman micro-spectroscopy to image and classify microplastics from natural marine environment.Environ Technol Innov. 2024 May;34:103622. doi: 10.1016/j.eti.2024.103622. Environ Technol Innov. 2024. PMID: 38706940 Free PMC article.
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Other Literature Sources
Research Materials