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Health risk assessment of microplastics contamination in the daily diet of South Asian countries
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This meta-analysis found that South Asians ingest an estimated 508-2,280 microplastic particles per person per day through food, with salt, fish, milk, and drinking water showing hazard scores above global averages. High-risk polymers including PVC, polyurethane, and polyamide were identified, with annual microplastic ingestion rates reaching up to 36.3 grams per person through fish consumption alone.
South Asian countries face a major threat concerning microplastics (MPs) contamination in food. This study explores the existing evidence of MPs in major foods of South Asian countries and links with available health risk indices through meta-analysis. Overall range of MPs in treated water, bottled water, fish, milk, salt, wheat, rice, and sugar were 0.75-35.33 particles L, 0.07-500 particles L, 0.006-361.6 particles g, 11.1-295.5 particles L, 0.01-350 particles g, 4.57 particles g, 0.303 particles g and 0.343 particles g, respectively. Daily intake of MPs through food items was estimated with a range of 508-2280 particles person day depending on age group. Hazard score of MPs contaminated food indicates high to very high hazard scores in salt with an average PHI of 10,817.6 followed by fish (9012.9), milk (4900.4) and drinking water (3752.9) which are higher than the global values. High-risk polymers include Polyvinyl Chloride, Polyacrylamide, Styrene-Butadiene copolymer, Polyester, Polyurethane, and Polyamide. Average rate of microplastics ingestion ranged between 0.64 and 36.3 g person year with fish stand apex followed by bottled water, salt and milk. This study further investigates research gaps on MPs contamination in the foods of South Asian countries. Overall, the present study summarised the present level of MPs ingestion through different food sources in South Asian countries, highlighting the need for strong regulation to monitor level of MPs contamination in food.
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Microplastic contamination in South Asian commercially important seafood: A comprehensive assessment of occurrence, source, and human health risk
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Scientists reviewed existing studies on microplastic pollution in seafood across South Asia and found that people there may be eating about 145 tiny plastic particles a day just from fish and shellfish, with fish being the biggest source. Some of the plastic types found, like PVC and polyurethane, are considered more hazardous, and shellfish (crustaceans) showed the highest contamination levels overall. While researchers are still learning exactly how these plastics affect our bodies, this study highlights the need for better monitoring of seafood safety, especially in regions where seafood is a dietary staple.
Microplastic contamination in thirty commercially important fish species: Distribution, polymer composition, pollution indices, and human health risks
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Researchers examined microplastic contamination in 600 specimens across 30 commercially important fish species from the Indian coast, finding the highest accumulation in the gastrointestinal tract with carnivorous species carrying the greatest burden. Polyethylene and polypropylene fibers were the dominant particle types, and human health risk assessment showed measurable daily intake from consuming these fish, with pollution indices indicating considerable to medium hazard risk levels.
A Systematic Review on Microplastic Contamination in Fishes of Asia: Polymeric Risk Assessment and Future Prospectives
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This systematic review found widespread microplastic contamination in freshwater and saltwater fish across Asia, with polyethylene and polypropylene being the most common plastic types. Since fish is a major protein source for billions of people, this contamination represents a direct pathway for microplastics to enter the human diet.
Abundance, characteristics, and risk assessment of microplastics in indigenous freshwater fishes of India
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Researchers examined microplastic contamination in five widely consumed freshwater fish species from India and found plastic particles in all specimens, with fibers being the most dominant type. Evidence of microplastics in edible fish tissue indicates translocation from the gut, suggesting a pathway for human exposure through consumption. Risk assessment showed that while microplastic abundance posed a low quantitative risk, the polymer types identified indicated a high hazard potential for the fish species studied.
Microplastic contamination in commercial fish species in southern coastal region of India
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Researchers examined 220 commercial fish from the southern coast of India over six months and found microplastic contamination in all samples, with an average of 3.2 to 7.6 particles per fish. The most common types were fibers and fragments, primarily composed of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyamide. The findings indicate that microplastic contamination in commercially valuable fish species is widespread along the Indian coast, raising concerns about food safety.
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