78% of various types of fish in the Cantabrian Sea have microplastics

The fish we eat are full of microplastics. A recent study carried out in northwestern Spain confirms this: 78% of the red mullets, anchovies, sardines and dragons carried them in their digestive tracts.

The study, conducted by researchers from the oceanographic centers of Vigo and Santander and published in the scientific journal 'Marine Pollution Bulletin', it is revealing. .

During the investigation, the stomach content of 64 individuals of the four selected fish species (red mullet, anchovies, sardines and dragons)

Polyethylene and polypropylene

The researchers isolated 100 microplastics: 25 in anchovies, 23 in sardines, 14 in red mullet and 38 in dragonlets, with percentages that vary between 60 and 87%, depending on the species. Of the microplastics, they identified two types, fibers, which accounted for 88%, and fragments, which were found at 12%.

Some research suggests that it could affect the immune cells of our body, which would have a higher mortality rate

Polyethylene and polypropylene were the polymers that were found in greater abundance, as expected since they are two of the most used in the world, mainly as packaging material.

According to the EFE agency, the team was co-led by researchers Jesús Gago, from the Vigo Oceanographic Center, and Izaskun Preciado, from the Oceanographic Center of Santander.

Till the date, there is no clear agreement on the risks to human health from ingesting microplastics and nanoplastics, although some research suggests that it could affect the immune cells of our body, which would have a higher mortality rate from coming into contact with plastic particles.