Microplastics in Seafood and the Implications for Human Health

• Published in: Current environmental health reports 2018-09, Vol.5 (3), p.375-386
• Main Authors: Smith, Madeleine, Love, David C., Rochman, Chelsea M., Neff, Roni A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Additives; Agriculture; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Bisphenol A; Chemicals; Consumers; Consumption; Contamination; Environmental Health; Environmental policy; Epidemiology; Flame retardants; Food; Food, Health, and the Environment (KE Nachman and D Love, Section Editors); Health; Hydrophobicity; Life cycles; Marine environment; Marine pollution; Medicine/Public Health; Microplastics; PCB; Pesticides; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Plastic debris; Plastic pollution; Polybrominated diphenyl ethers; Polychlorinated biphenyls; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Polyesters; Polyethylene terephthalate; Polymers; Seafood; Seawater; Section Editors; Shellfish; Surface chemistry; the Environment; the Environment (KE Nachman and D Love; Topical Collection on Food; Toxicity; Wildlife
• ISSN: 2196-5412; 2196-5412
• DOI: 10.1007/s40572-018-0206-z

Purpose of Review We describe evidence regarding human exposure to microplastics via seafood and discuss potential health effects. Recent Findings Shellfish and other animals consumed whole pose particular concern for human exposure. If there is toxicity, it is likely dependent on dose, polymer type, size, surface chemistry, and hydrophobicity. Summary Human activity has led to microplastic contamination throughout the marine environment. As a result of widespread contamination, microplastics are ingested by many species of wildlife including fish and shellfish. Because microplastics are associated with chemicals from manufacturing and that sorb from the surrounding environment, there is concern regarding physical and chemical toxicity. Evidence regarding microplastic toxicity and epidemiology is emerging. We characterize current knowledge and highlight gaps. We also recommend mitigation and adaptation strategies targeting the life cycle of microplastics and recommend future research to assess impacts of microplastics on humans. Addressing these research gaps is a critical priority due to the nutritional importance of seafood consumption.