The Negative Impact of Microplastics on the Safety of Fish Raw Materials and Seafood

The widespread distribution of microplastics can disrupt the ecological balance in both freshwater and marine ecosystems. This study found that microplastics pose a direct and indirect threat to aquatic life, including fish and seafood. Exposure to microplastics poses multiple risks to fish, affecting their behavior and overall health. Microplastics can cause blockages in the digestive tract, as well as injuries to the skin and internal organs. They promote inflammation, oxidative stress, and disrupt cellular signaling and biochemistry. In addition, microplastics can impair immune function, alter the gut microbiome, and cause reproductive disorders, genetic toxicity, and tissue damage in fish. Consuming contaminated fish can lead to exposure to harmful substances, which in turn can negatively affect human health. This can cause developmental disabilities, reproductive problems, and an increased risk of cancer. These impacts highlight the serious and complex consequences that microplastics have on aquatic organisms, highlighting the need for further research and development of strategies to effectively address this environmental problem.