Microplastics found in all commercially dried seafood

Microplastics have been detected in all commercially dried seafood examined from four coastal regions of Bangladesh, including the Sundarbans, Kuakata, Teknaf and Cox’s Bazar, raising concerns about contamination and potential food safety risks.

The study, titled “Occurrence, characteristics, and polymer associated hazard of microplastics in commercially dried marine seafood from coastal Bangladesh”, was conducted by the Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Marine Sciences and Fisheries, University of Chittagong.

Microplastic abundance ranged from 0.25 to 1.30 particles per gram of dry weight. The regional mean was highest in the Sundarbans at 0.91 ± 0.36 particles per gram and lowest in Teknaf at 0.57 ± 0.26 particles per gram. However, the differences among the four regions were not statistically significant (p = 0.165).

The researchers examined six seafood species: Harpadon nehereus, Trichiurus lepturus, Setipinna phasa, Johnius argentatus, Penaeus monodon and Metapenaeus monoceros.

Fibres were the dominant form of microplastics, while blue and black particles were frequently observed. Smaller particles also accounted for a substantial proportion of those recovered.

Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis identified seven polymer types, with polyethylene accounting for the largest share at 30.49 per cent, followed by polypropylene at 24.39 per cent. The findings were published in Marine Pollution Bulletin, an international peer-reviewed journal focusing on marine pollution and environmental management.

The Polymer Hazard Index (PHI) varied considerably across the regions, reaching 2,642.7 in Kuakata and 86.7 in the Sundarbans. The variation reflected differences in polymer composition and polymer-specific hazard scores. Polypropylene, polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) contributed to elevated risk levels.

Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5mm that persist in the environment and spread through aquatic ecosystems. They originate from the breakdown of larger plastic waste and sources such as synthetic textiles, industrial products and wastewater.