Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Occurrence and Characterization of Microplastics in Commercial Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from Apulia Region (Italy)

Scientists analyzed commercially sold mussels from markets in southern Italy and found microplastics in every sample tested. On average, each mussel contained about 1.6 plastic particles, with fibers being the most common type, followed by fragments. Since mussels are eaten whole by consumers, the findings highlight a direct pathway for human exposure to microplastics through seafood.

2023 Foods 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in bivalves cultured for human consumption

Researchers examined two commercially farmed bivalve species, mussels and oysters, and found microplastics in the edible tissues of both. Mussels contained an average of 0.36 particles per gram of tissue, while oysters had 0.47 particles per gram. Since these shellfish are consumed whole without removing the gut, the study suggests they represent a direct pathway for human ingestion of microplastics.

2014 Environmental Pollution 1992 citations
Article Tier 2

Presence of Microplastics in Four Types of Shellfish Purchased at Fish Markets in Okayama City, Japan.

Scientists found microplastics in all four types of shellfish—oysters, clams, scallops, and mussels—purchased from fish markets in Okayama, Japan. The findings confirm that people who eat shellfish regularly ingest microplastics, raising questions about potential health impacts from this dietary exposure.

2021 PubMed 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Are bivalves a source of microplastics for humans? A case study in the Brazilian markets

Researchers found that all four species of bivalves sold in Brazilian markets contained microplastics, averaging 1.64 particles per gram, confirming that commercially sold shellfish are a source of microplastic exposure for consumers.

2022 Marine Pollution Bulletin 24 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contents from maricultured and natural mussels

Researchers compared microplastic content in maricultured and wild mussels from Italian waters and found no significant difference between the two sources, with all recovered particles being filaments. The study estimates that consuming raw mussels could result in a median intake of 6 to 7 microplastic items per gram, highlighting a consistent route of human dietary exposure regardless of whether mussels are farmed or wild-caught.

2018 Marine Pollution Bulletin 238 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis): Understanding Pollution in Italian Seas

A nationwide study across Italy found microplastics in 7-13% of common mussels sampled from Italian seas, mainly polypropylene and polystyrene fragments and fibers. Since mussels are eaten whole without removing their digestive system, any microplastics inside them are directly consumed by people. The findings underscore the need for standardized detection methods and better waste management to protect both marine ecosystems and the seafood supply.

2025 Toxics 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in mussels sampled from coastal waters and supermarkets in the United Kingdom

Researchers measured microplastic contamination in mussels from U.K. coastal waters and supermarkets and found anthropogenic debris in every sample tested. Wild mussels contained up to 2.9 debris items per gram of tissue, while supermarket mussels showed lower but still consistent contamination levels. The study confirms that microplastics are prevalent in commercially available shellfish, representing a direct pathway for human dietary exposure.

2018 Environmental Pollution 516 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
Article Tier 2

The Contamination of Microplastics in Mussel (Mytilus edulis), and Oyster (Crassostrea gigas): A Case Study from a Fish Market, Chonburi Province

Microplastics were found in mussels and oysters sold at a fish market in Thailand, with fibers and fragments being the most common types. Since bivalves are often eaten whole, this raises concerns about human ingestion of microplastics through seafood.

2021 Burapha Science Journal (วารสารวิทยาศาสตร์บูรพา ) 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Micro and Nanoplastics size distribution in mussel tissues: first evidence, identification, and quantification in the nanogram range

Italian researchers used a highly sensitive mass spectrometry technique to detect and quantify both microplastics and nanoplastics in farmed mussels, finding plastic particles in every sample tested. Nanoplastics in the 20–200 nm range were present in substantial quantities, and the authors estimate that European seafood consumers could ingest over 2 milligrams of nanoplastics per year through mussel consumption alone. This is one of the first studies to directly quantify nanoplastics in a commonly eaten seafood, raising significant concerns about dietary exposure.

2023 Research Square (Research Square) 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

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

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)
Systematic Review Tier 1

Microplastics ingestions by wild and aquaculture marine bivalves: A systematic review on field investigation study

This systematic review of 33 studies found that shellfish like mussels, oysters, and clams from both wild and farmed sources contain microplastics. Since many people eat these shellfish whole, including their digestive systems, this represents a direct pathway for microplastic ingestion by humans.

2023 Sustinere Journal of Environment and Sustainability 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Towards Risk Assessments of Microplastics in Bivalve Mollusks Globally

Researchers compiled data from 22 countries to assess the risk of microplastic contamination in bivalve mollusks such as mussels and oysters. While most countries showed relatively low pollution levels, the chemical composition of the microplastics found in bivalves varied widely, with some polymers posing greater health concerns than others. The study estimates that regular consumption of contaminated bivalves could represent a meaningful pathway for human microplastic exposure.

2022 Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 84 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence of potential plastic microfibers in mussels and anchovies sold for human consumption: Preliminary results

Researchers found potential plastic microfibers in mussels and anchovies from the Tyrrhenian Sea sold for human consumption, with anthropogenic fibers present across samples, raising concerns about dietary microplastic exposure through seafood.

2021 Italian Journal of Food Safety 29 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence of microplastics in store-bought fresh and processed clams in Italy

Researchers measured microplastic occurrence in store-bought fresh and processed clam products in Italy, detecting particles in all examined products and finding higher concentrations in minimally processed compared to heavily processed clams.

2024 Marine Pollution Bulletin 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in the edible tissues of shellfishes sold for human consumption

Researchers analyzed the edible tissues of four shellfish species sold for human consumption and found microplastics present in all samples examined. Fibers were the most commonly detected particle type, with polymer identification confirming synthetic origins including polyethylene and polypropylene. The findings raise concerns about human dietary exposure to microplastics through commercially available seafood products.

2020 Chemosphere 204 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
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and nanoplastics size distribution in farmed mussel tissues

Researchers analyzed farmed mussels from Italy and detected microplastics and nanoplastics in every single sample, with nanoplastics (particles smaller than 1 micrometer) present in concerning quantities. They estimated that Europeans eating seafood regularly could ingest more than 2 milligrams of nanoplastics per year — establishing an important baseline for tracking this form of pollution in our food supply.

2024 Communications Earth & Environment 68 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment and Analysis of Microplastics in Commercially Sold Bivalves from Los Baños, Laguna, and Lipa, Batangas, Philippines

Researchers extracted and characterized microplastics from three commercially sold bivalve species (green mussel, Manila clam, and freshwater clam) purchased at Philippine markets, finding contamination ranging from 0.52 to 2.94 microplastic particles per gram fresh weight with fibers being the most common type.

2025 UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in commercially important edible marine bivalves: A comprehensive review

This review summarizes research on microplastic contamination in edible shellfish like mussels, clams, and oysters, which accumulate high levels of plastic particles in their tissues. Because bivalves are eaten whole including their digestive systems, they are a direct pathway for microplastics to enter the human body. While microplastics do not appear to kill shellfish outright, they can harm their immune systems and reproduction, potentially affecting both shellfish populations and human consumers.

2024 Food Chemistry X 26 citations
Article Tier 2

The Global Spread of Microplastics: Contamination in Mussels, Clams, and Crustaceans from World Markets

Researchers used a standardized method to analyze microplastic contamination in commercially sold clams, mussels, and crustacean shellfish from markets in Belgium, Croatia, Serbia, and South Korea. Microplastics were found in about 44% of the 190 samples, with less than one particle per individual on average, and crustacean shellfish had the lowest contamination per gram of edible tissue. The type of shellfish was a stronger predictor of contamination levels than geographic origin, and the data did not support bioaccumulation with animal size.

2024 Foods 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification and quantification of potential microplastics in shellfish harvested in Sardinia (Italy) by using transillumination stereomicroscopy

Researchers identified and quantified microplastics in shellfish harvested from Sardinian coastal waters, finding contamination across multiple species and sampling sites, with filter-feeding bivalves accumulating plastic particles that could pose risks to both marine ecosystems and human consumers.

2022 Italian Journal of Food Safety 4 citations