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Microplastics in edible tissues of Awassi Sheep in Nineveh Governorate, Iraq: Quantitative analysis and implications for food safety and public health.
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Researchers found tiny plastic particles (microplastics, from sources like packaging and farming materials) in the meat, liver, and intestines of sheep raised in northern Iraq, with the highest contamination levels found in animals from Badush city. Since these sheep are raised for food, this means people eating this meat could be unknowingly consuming plastic particles too — and while scientists are still studying exactly how harmful this is to humans, the findings add to growing evidence that plastic pollution is making its way into our food supply through livestock.
BACKGROUND: The global increase in plastic production worldwide, with improper waste processing, has led to the distribution of microplastic contamination in soil, water, and food products, which, in turn, increases human health risk through the consumption of animal products. AIM: This study was designed to evaluate microplastic contamination in Awassi sheep edible tissues in Nineveh governorate, Iraq, using the contamination factor (CF) and pollution load index (PLI) parameters. METHODS: Eighty samples of meat (muscle), liver, and intestine were collected from four cities in Nineveh Governorate. Samples were stored at -20°C in (Hitachi chest freezer, HRCS11316MNW, China), digested with KOH for 8 hours at 60°C, and isolated by density separation in a NaCl/ZnCl solution. Samples were then filtered and examined using stereomicroscopy to determine count, shape, and size, and were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for polymer identification. Contamination levels were evaluated using the CF and PLI, while human exposure risk was determined by calculating the annual meat consumption rate. RESULTS: The contamination rate was the highest in Badush city, with medium-sized particles reached 77.6, 65.6, and 72.5 particles/g in the meat, liver, and intestine, respectively. These particles were mostly irregular in shape and were black and brown. Fourier transform infrared analysis confirmed the presence of nylon and polyethylene as primary polymers. The CF andPLI were the highest in Badush city, with an exposure rate reaching 676.1 particles/g in meat, higher than Mosul (523.3), Tel Keif (464.1), and Al-Hamdaniya (425.9). The contamination with microplastics in the liver and intestine was also greater in Badush, which was 9.8 and 10 particles/g, respectively. CONCLUSION: Given the potential biological toxicity of medium-sized microplastic particles, an immediate mitigation response is necessary. The discovery of nylon and polyethylene in animal tissues highlights the significance of microplastic pollution as a new threat to livestock health and food security. The extensive use of plastics in agricultural practices and food packaging is the primary source of contamination here.
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