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Consumption of commercially sold dried fish snack “Charales” contaminated with microplastics in Mexico
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Researchers examined commercially sold dried fish snacks from markets across Mexico and found microplastics in every sample tested, with contamination levels ranging widely between vendors. Fish from traditional markets and street vendors tended to have higher microplastic counts than those from supermarkets. The findings highlight that processed dried fish products represent a direct route of human exposure to microplastics through everyday food consumption.
Inadvertent human exposure to microplastics by the ingestion of microplastic-contaminated processed foods poses health risks and new preventative issues; nevertheless, investigations analyzing microplastic occurrences in commercially dried fish for direct human consumption are scarce. This study assessed the abundance and characteristics of microplastics in 25 commercially sold dried fish products (4 supermarkets, 3 street vendors, and 18 traditional agri-product farmers' markets) from two widely consumed and commercially important Chirostoma species (C. jordani and C. patzcuaro) in Mexico. Microplastics were detected in all the samples examined, with abundances ranging from 4.00 ± 0.94 to 55.33 ± 9.43 items g. C. jordani dried fish samples had higher mean microplastic abundance (15.17 ± 5.90 items g) than the C. patzcuaro dried fish samples (7.82 ± 2.90 items g); nevertheless, there was no statistically significant difference in microplastic concentrations between the samples. The most prevalent type of microplastic was fiber (67.55%), followed by fragment (29.18%), film (3.00%), and sphere (0.27%). Non-colored microplastics (67.35%) predominated, while microplastic sizes varied from 24 to 1670 μm, with sizes less than 500 μm (84%) being the most common. ATR-FTIR analysis revealed polyester, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene-propylene copolymer, nylon-6 (3), cellophane, and viscose in the dried fish samples. Overall, this study's findings are the first in Latin America to demonstrate microplastic contamination in dried fish for human consumption, underscoring the need for developing countermeasures to prevent plastic pollution in fish-caught regions and reduce the risks of human exposure to these micropollutants.
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Occurrence of microplastics in commercial marine dried fish in Asian countries
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Researchers examined 14 types of commercially available dried fish products from seven Asian countries and found microplastics present in all samples tested. The most common types were fibers and fragments, with polymers like polyethylene and polypropylene being frequently identified. The findings raise concerns about widespread human dietary exposure to microplastics through popular dried seafood products consumed across Asia.
Microplastic contamination in salted and sun dried fish and implications for food security – A study on the effect of location, style and constituents of dried fish on microplastics load
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Researchers tested 21 species of dried fish from four locations in India and found microplastics in every sample, predominantly small fragments under 100 micrometers. The type and amount of microplastic contamination varied by location, fish species, and whether the fish was whole or eviscerated. The findings raise food safety concerns since dried fish is a dietary staple for many people in coastal regions.
Presence of microplastics in two common dried marine fish species from Bangladesh
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Researchers examined two popular dried fish species from Bangladesh and found microplastics present in all samples, with fibers being the most common type. Fish from one collection site had significantly higher microplastic contamination than the other, suggesting location-specific pollution levels. The findings raise concerns about human dietary exposure to microplastics through commonly consumed seafood products in the region.
Evaluation of Microplastic Contamination in Commercially Edible Fresh Water and Marine Fishes Bought from Fish Markets, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
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This Indian study examined microplastic contamination in freshwater and marine fish sold in markets in Tamil Nadu, finding plastic particles in multiple commercially important species. People who regularly eat fish from contaminated markets are likely consuming microplastics as part of their diet.
Microplastic presence in dried and fresh fish from seafood markets in Sri Lanka
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Scientists examined both fresh and dried fish from seafood markets across Sri Lanka and found microplastics in over 82% of the samples, with fiber-shaped pieces making up more than 95% of the contamination. Fresh fish had higher contamination levels than dried fish, suggesting that preparation methods affect microplastic content. Since these small fish species are commonly eaten whole, consumers may be ingesting significant amounts of microplastics through popular seafood products.
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