Are Zebrafish Affected by Tiny Plastics in Our Environment?

Zebrafish get their name from the black lines along their bodies. These fish have many similarities with humans and help scientists investigate diseases. Sometimes diseases can be linked to our environment. Since humans started using plastic materials in the last century, we have been filling our soil and water with plastic garbage. With time, plastics break down and become so tiny that they can enter the bodies of many animals, including us. Scientists added one type of these tiny nanoplastics, called polystyrene, into the water where zebrafish eggs were developing. Scientists found that nanoplastics could enter many zebrafish organs and cause the fish to swim differently. Nanoplastics even affected how zebrafish use their genes. Lessons learned from these experiments will help teach people to use fewer plastic products, to be more careful with the way they use plastics, and to come together to find ways to reduce plastic waste.