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Microplastic contamination in edible clams from popular recreational clam-digging sites in Hong Kong and implications for human health
Summary
Researchers examined 249 wild clams from recreational digging sites in Hong Kong and found that over 56% contained microplastics, averaging about one particle per individual. Based on consumption patterns, they estimated that Hong Kong residents may ingest over 14,000 microplastic particles annually from wild clam consumption alone. A risk assessment using a polymer hazard index indicated a medium level of concern for human health.
The ubiquitous presence of microplastics in edible bivalves and the human health risks associated with bivalve consumption have raised public concerns. Farmed and market-sold bivalves have received the most attention, while wild bivalves have received much less scrutiny. In the present study, 249 individuals were examined across six wild clam species from two popular recreational clam-digging sites in Hong Kong. Of the clams, 56.6 % contained microplastics, with an average abundance of 1.04 items/g (wet weight) and 0.98 items/individual. This resulted in an estimated annual dietary exposure of 14,307 items per Hong Kong resident. Moreover, the potential microplastic risks for humans associated with wild clam consumption were assessed using the polymer hazard index, and the results indicated a medium degree of risk, indicating that exposure to microplastics through wild clam consumption is inevitable and poses a potential health threat to humans. Further research is needed to facilitate a better understanding of the widespread occurrence of microplastics in wild bivalves, and further refinements of the risk assessment framework can hopefully allow a more accurate and holistic health risk assessment for microplastics.
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