It’s bad news for seafood lovers, as dangerous microplastics have been found in the meat of the American lobster for the first time.
Scientists at Dalhousie University analysed the flesh of 16 male and female lobsters found in major fishing regions in Canada‘s east coast.
They found the tiny toxic particles in every one of the creatures, which are a popular food exported around the world.
Five years ago, scientists found microplastics in the larvae of American lobsters, but this is the first study to find them in the flesh of adults.
The experts say there’s an ‘urgent need’ for continued research and monitoring of lobsters and their microplastic consumption at the site.
‘The presence of microplastics in lobster muscle tissue has potential implications for the overall health of lobsters, seafood consumers and various stakeholders,’ they say.
‘[We need] to fully comprehend the transport and fate of microplastics within marine organisms, the environment and on human health.’
Microplastics – plastic fragments less than 5 mm in diameter, invisible to the naked eye – have been linked with toxic impacts on the body, such as cancer.
Scientists have found microplastic contamination in the muscle tissue of edible American lobster (Homarus americanus, pictured)
Graphical abstract from the study: Interestingly, the smaller the lobster tail the higher the concentration of microplastics
