Impact of Fibrous Microplastic Pollution on Commercial Seafood and Consumer Health: A Review

Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI · 6 authors, 5 centres

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TL;DR

This narrative review examines microfiber contamination in commercially relevant fish and bivalve species across diverse habitats and feeding strategies, finding that edible marine species are contaminated due to the widespread distribution of microfibers in aquatic environments.

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This narrative review synthesizes existing literature on microfiber contamination in commercially relevant seafood, including pelagic and benthic wild-captured fish, farmed species, and bivalve mollusks. The authors describe how microfibers, primarily released from textiles during washing, bypass wastewater treatment and accumulate in marine environments, where they are ingested by edible species. Detection methods are discussed, including chemical and enzymatic digestion of gastrointestinal tracts and soft tissues, with noted challenges in distinguishing natural from synthetic microfibers and methodological variability across studies. The review finds that edible species are confirmed to be contaminated, but standardization of data collection methods is urgently needed. The review advocates for a multidisciplinary One Health approach integrating environmental, animal, and human health perspectives.

STUDY TYPE

narrative_review

SPECIALTY

public health

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ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10252135

Impact of Fibrous Microplastic Pollution on Commercial Seafood and Consumer Health: A Review

Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI

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ABSTRACT

Abstract Simple Summary Microfiber pollution is a widespread threat to marine fauna. These particles may be released into water from textiles during the washing process, and due to their low dimensions, the majority of microfibers cannot be blocked from wastewater treatment plants, reaching seas and oceans. Consequently, they could be ingested by marine organisms, including edible species, potentially leading to human exposure. However, microfiber and associated chemical exposure in fish and humans are still understudied. Further research is needed to better understand the potential negative impacts of microfibers on aquatic habitats, marine biota, and humans. Abstract The omnipresence of microfibers in marine environments has raised concerns about their availability to aquatic biota, including commercial fish species. Due to their tiny size and wide distribution, microfibers may be ingested by wild-captured pelagic or benthic fish and farmed species. Humans are exposed via seafood consumption. Despite the fact that research on the impact of microfibers on marine biota is increasing, knowledge on their role in food security and safety is limited. The present review aims to examine the current knowledge about microfiber contamination in commercially relevant fish species, their impact on the marine food chain, and their probable threat to consumer health. The available information suggests that among the marine biota, edible species are also contaminated, but there is an urgent need to standardize data collection methods to assess the extent of microfiber occurrence in seafood. In this context, natural microfibers should also be investigated. A multidisciplinary approach to the microfiber issue that recognizes the interrelationship and connection of environmental health with that of animals and humans should be used, leading to the application of strategies to reduce microfiber pollution through the control of the sources and the development of remediation technologies. Keywords: microplastics, microfiber pollution, seafood contamination, human exposure

CITATION EXPORT

Serena Santonicola, Michela Volgare, Mariacristina Cocca et al.. Impact of Fibrous Microplastic Pollution on Commercial Seafood and Consumer Health: A Review. Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI. (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13111736

AUTHORS

6 · 5 CENTRES

Serena Santonicola, Michela Volgare, Mariacristina Cocca, Giulia Dorigato, Valerio Giaccone, Giampaolo Colavita

1Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; [email protected]
2Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy; [email protected]
3Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials, and Industrial Production, University of Naples Federico II, P. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy; [email protected]
4Independent Researcher, 37029 San Pietro in Cariano, Italy; [email protected]
5Department of Animal Medicine, Productions and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università, 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; [email protected]