A study in which eight scientists from the Charleston College of Health Sciences in the United States participated, showed that microplastics were identified in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) through your breathing.
The objective of the study, entitled First evidence of microplastic inhalation in small cetaceans in the wildwas to determine whether inhalation andThis is a viable route of exposure to microplastics for free-ranging dolphins.
To identify if it was possible to find these mplastic materialsexhalation samples were collected from dolphins residing in Sarasota (Florida) and Barataria (Louisiana) bays.
Suspicious particles
What was feared was confirmed during health assessments of the capture and release of microplastic particles. All dolphin samples contained at least a suspicious microplastic particleand the composition of polymers 100% of a subset of samples.
Additional studies are needed to better understand extent of inhaled microplasticsas well as exploring its impacts, taking into account possible risks to lung function and health.
The study highlights that plastic is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, leading to widespread exposure in land and sea spaces. In the environment, thePlastics can break down into microparticleswhose exposure has been documented in varied fauna at all trophic levels.
In addition, epidemiological studies in humans have highlighted relationships between inhaled microplastics, oxidative stress and inflammation.
Plasticizing chemicals
Previous studies on this species of bottlenose dolphins have already reported uFrequent exposure to plasticizing chemicalssuch as phthalates, as well as particle loads in the gastrointestinal tract, but inhalation exposure had not previously been studied.
According to its authors, this is the first study to identify and characterizes the exhibition by inhalation of microplastics in a free-ranging marine mammal.
Suspected microplastics were identified in all exhalation samples collected from dolphins, “analysis of a subset of suspect particles by Raman spectroscopy and the plastic composition of all samples was confirmed. “These results suggest that inhalation is a mechanism of exposure to microplastics for marine mammals.”
lung damage
According to the researchers, “Given the significant gaps in knowledge about the health effects of inhaled particles, the implications of these findings are unknown; However, laboratory epidemiological studies in rodents and humans suggest that Lung damage is a possible result of this route of exposure“.
The potential for particle translocation to other tissues presents further opportunities for health risks to the individual as a whole. For areas like Barataria Bay, inhaled microplastics are of particular concern.
oil spill
These high levels are because the wildlife in this area has suffered countless health impacts due to Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.
The study highlights that a Poor lung health of Barataria dolphins linked to spillso inhaled microplastic particles could exacerbate existing lung diseases.
Dolphins that inhabit Sarasota Bay have been the subject of studies on population health and abundance since 1970, reflecting their widespread exposure to ingested microplastics and phthalate plasticizers.
More research
Therefore, the scientists’ goal was to determine whether exhaled air samples collected during routine catch-and-release health assessments can be used to identify and characterize inhalation exposure to microplastics in free-ranging dolphins.
The scientists say, based on these results, that further research is needed to understand the Health implications after exposure to inhaled microplasticsparticularly among vulnerable populations experiencing adverse pulmonary impacts.
A systematic assessment of particle exhalation in Sarasota Bay dolphins is planned to examine the life cycle influences on exposure and associations with health impacts in the well-studied Sarasota Bay dolphin community.
Lots of evidence of microplastics
Despite the abundant evidence of microplastics Driven by the outdoors and atmospheric rain, studies on the inhalation of microplastics in wildlife are almost non-existent.
This is particularly surprising given the extensive evidence of microplastic ingestion in marine wildlife, in several species fish, birds and sea turtles, sharks and marine mammals as recent studies suggest that oceans could be sources of atmospheric microplastics.
