Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Microplastics in fillets of Mediterranean seafood. A risk assessment study

Researchers analyzed fillets of several common Mediterranean seafood species for microplastic contamination and estimated the associated human dietary exposure. They detected microplastics in the edible tissue of all species tested, including sardines, sea bream, and mussels. The study provides risk estimates suggesting that regular seafood consumption represents a notable pathway for human microplastic ingestion.

2021 Environmental Research 101 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence, sources and potential human health risk of microplastics in seafood species

Researchers measured microplastic occurrence in seafood products available in local markets, identifying plastics in multiple species including fish, shrimp, and bivalves, and estimated potential human dietary intake based on consumption data. The study found that seafood lovers could ingest thousands of microplastic particles per year through regular consumption, with shellfish representing the highest per-serving exposure.

2024 Chinese Science Bulletin (Chinese Version)
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in seafood: Relative input of Mytilus galloprovincialis and table salt in mussel dishes

Researchers quantified microplastics in mussels and table salt used in popular dishes from the Bay of Biscay, Spain. They found that mussels contained significantly more microplastics (0.55-3.20 items per gram) than table salt (0.1-0.38 items per gram), with levels correlating to environmental pollution at the harvesting site. The study suggests that consumers' risk of microplastic ingestion through seafood depends heavily on where the shellfish were collected, and recommends routine microplastic monitoring and labeling for seafood.

2022 Food Research International 62 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in marine mussels from the Atlantic coast of North Portugal and human risk of microplastic intake through mussel consumption

Researchers analyzed wild mussels from Portugal's Atlantic coast and found microplastics in all samples, with an average of about 1.6 particles per gram of mussel tissue. Based on typical Portuguese seafood consumption patterns, the estimated annual human intake of microplastics from mussels alone was calculated, highlighting that regular shellfish consumers face meaningful microplastic exposure through their diet.

2024 Environmental Pollution 22 citations
Review Tier 2

Relevance and reliability of evidence for microplastic contamination in seafood: A critical review using Australian consumption patterns as a case study

Researchers critically reviewed evidence on microplastic contamination in seafood, using Australian consumption patterns as a case study to assess human exposure risk. They found that while microplastics have been documented in many commercial marine species, most contamination is found in tissues that are not typically consumed by humans. The study concludes that current evidence does not support significant dietary microplastic exposure from seafood but calls for better standardized research methods.

2021 Environmental Pollution 65 citations
Article Tier 2

Levels of microplastics and their characteristics in molluscs from North-West Mediterranean Sea: Human intake

Researchers measured microplastic contamination in commercially consumed mollusks along the Catalan coast of the Mediterranean Sea, finding microplastics in all species tested. Large oysters and mussels had the highest concentrations at around 19 to 23 particles per individual. Based on typical consumption patterns, the study estimated that the local adult population ingests an average of over 8,000 microplastic particles per year through mollusk consumption alone.

2022 Marine Pollution Bulletin 84 citations
Article Tier 2

A preliminary analysis of microplastics in edible versus non-edible tissues from seafood samples.

Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in commercially important fish and shellfish species, comparing levels in edible versus non-edible tissues. The study found microplastics present across multiple species and tissue types, providing preliminary evidence that the edible portions of seafood may contain microplastic particles, which has implications for understanding human dietary exposure.

2020 Environmental Pollution 152 citations
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Microplastics ingestion by marine fauna with a particular focus on commercial species: a systematic review

This systematic review and meta-analysis examines microplastic ingestion across marine species, with a focus on commercially important seafood. The researchers found that microplastic contamination is widespread in fish, shellfish, and other marine animals that end up on our dinner plates. This matters for human health because we may be consuming these particles every time we eat seafood.

2023 Frontiers in Marine Science 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Comparative analysis of microplastic pollution in commercially relevant seafood across different geographical regions

Researchers analyzed microplastic pollution in commercially important seafood species, characterizing particle morphology and polymer composition across species. The study found microplastics in all species sampled, with differences in contamination levels linked to feeding ecology and habitat.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Microplastic Contamination of Seafood Intended for Human Consumption: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This meta-analysis is the first to systematically quantify microplastic contamination in seafood sold for human consumption. The findings confirm that people are regularly ingesting microplastics through seafood, underscoring the need for action to reduce plastic pollution in our oceans and better understand the health effects of this exposure.

2020 Environmental Health Perspectives 258 citations
Article Tier 2

Do microplastic contaminated seafood consumption pose a potential risk to human health?

Researchers mapped microplastic presence in commercially important marine species including mussels, clams, crabs, and fish from the Ria Formosa lagoon and south coast of Portugal. They found microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of all species examined, with fibers and fragments being the most common types. The study raises questions about the potential health implications of consuming microplastic-contaminated seafood, though more research is needed to fully assess the risk.

2021 Marine Pollution Bulletin 85 citations
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Microplastics in Seafood: How Much Are People Eating?

This meta-analysis pools data from multiple studies to estimate how many microplastic particles people consume through seafood each year. While scientists are still uncertain whether eating microplastics directly harms human health, early research in animals suggests potential effects on the gut and immune system. The study highlights that seafood is a significant source of microplastic exposure for many people worldwide.

2021 Environmental Health Perspectives 32 citations
Article Tier 2

Marine microplastic debris: An emerging issue for food security, food safety and human health

This review examines the evidence for microplastic contamination in seafood and discusses what it means for food security and human health. Researchers found that microplastics have been detected in commercially important fish and shellfish species worldwide, but the actual health risks to humans from consuming contaminated seafood remain poorly understood. The study identifies critical knowledge gaps and calls for standardized methods to better assess the dietary exposure and potential toxicity of microplastics.

2018 Marine Pollution Bulletin 1489 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in seafood from Dongshan Bay in southeastern China and its health risk implication for human consumption

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in eight popular seafood species from Dongshan Bay in southeastern China and assessed potential human health risks. The study characterized the abundance, size, shape, and polymer type of microplastics found in the seafood samples. The findings suggest that consuming contaminated seafood represents a meaningful exposure pathway for microplastic ingestion, though the specific health implications require further study.

2022 Environmental Pollution 63 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigating microplastics bioaccumulation and biomagnification in seafood from the Persian Gulf: a threat to human health?

Researchers investigated microplastic bioaccumulation and biomagnification in five commercially important seafood species from the Persian Gulf, examining both muscle tissue and gills. They found microplastics present in all species, with evidence suggesting potential trophic transfer through the marine food web. The study estimates that regular consumption of these seafood species could represent a notable pathway for human microplastic exposure in the region.

2019 Food Additives & Contaminants Part A 257 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and pathways of microplastics, quantification protocol and adverseeffects of microplastics towards freshwater and seawater biota

This review examines the occurrence, pathways, and adverse effects of microplastics on freshwater and marine organisms, highlighting how these particles can enter the food chain through seafood consumption. The study suggests that microplastic ingestion causes health hazards in aquatic animals and points to gaps in understanding how microplastics affect human health along the food supply chain.

2023 Food Research 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Exploring microplastics in commercial bivalve species and in bivalve aquaculture waters: Insights from the southern Pacific

Microplastics were detected in multiple commercially sold bivalve species (such as mussels and oysters) and in nearby inland and coastal waters. Because bivalves are widely eaten by humans, the findings raise direct concerns about microplastic dietary exposure through seafood consumption.

2025 Water Biology and Security 1 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Microplastics and seafood: lower trophic organisms at highest risk of contamination

This systematic review summarizes existing research on microplastic contamination in commercially important seafood species. The findings show that organisms lower on the food chain, like shellfish and small fish, tend to accumulate the most microplastics. Since many people eat these organisms whole, including their digestive tracts, this represents a direct pathway for microplastics to enter the human diet.

2019 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 564 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in seafood: Implications for food security, safety, and human health

This review examines how microplastics contaminate seafood -- from fish and shellfish to seaweed -- and what that means for food safety and human health. Marine organisms accumulate microplastics along with the harmful chemicals and antibiotic-resistant bacteria attached to them, creating multiple exposure risks when people eat seafood. With global seafood consumption rising sharply, the authors argue that microplastic contamination in the food supply deserves urgent attention from food safety regulators.

2023 Journal of Sea Research 73 citations
Article Tier 2

Macro and microplastic intake in seafood variates by the marine organism's feeding behaviour: Is it a concern to human health?

Researchers examined microplastic contamination across 26 species of fish, mollusks, and crustaceans from Portuguese waters and found plastic fragments in over 70 percent of specimens. The type and amount of contamination varied with each species' feeding behavior, with bottom-feeding organisms generally ingesting more particles. Importantly, no evidence of microplastic transfer from the digestive tract to muscle tissue was found, though the study notes that consuming whole organisms like shellfish still poses an exposure risk.

2023 Heliyon 25 citations
Article Tier 2

The risks of marine micro/nano-plastics on seafood safety and human health

This review examined the risks of marine micro- and nanoplastics to seafood safety and human health, detailing how plastic particles are ingested by marine organisms and transferred through the food chain to consumers.

2023 Advances in food and nutrition research 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Micro- and nano-plastic contamination in foods and potential risk to human health

This review summarizes the current state of knowledge about micro- and nanoplastic contamination in food, covering sources, occurrence, and analytical detection methods. Researchers found that while various foods, especially seafood, contain measurable levels of microplastics, the health risks to humans remain difficult to assess due to inconsistent research methods. The study calls for standardized approaches to better evaluate dietary exposure and potential health impacts.

2025 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Fish and Shellfish – A Threat to Seafood Safety?

This review evaluated the current knowledge on microplastic contamination in fish and shellfish in relation to seafood safety. Researchers found that while microplastics are commonly detected in the gastrointestinal tracts of fish (which are typically not consumed), bivalves and small fish eaten whole may present a more direct route of human exposure, though the overall health risk from microplastics in seafood remains uncertain.

2020 Journal of Aquatic Food Product Technology 131 citations
Article Tier 2

Comparative analysis of microplastic pollution in commercially relevant seafood across different geographical regions

This study compared microplastic contamination across commercially relevant seafood species commonly consumed in the European market, characterizing both the morphological and chemical properties of particles found in edible tissue. Results showed widespread but variable contamination across species, with polymer types and particle abundance differing by species and tissue type.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)