DOST researcher: More studies needed on effects of microplastics in fish

MANILA, Philippines — A researcher said that more studies are needed to ascertain whether microplastics found in fish can cause significant health hazards to people.

According to Rey Capangpangan, a researcher in the Department of Science and Technology National Research Council of the Philippines, there is still no present research that shows whether there are potential hazards that can be caused by eating food with microplastics present.

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“Estimating dietary exposure to microplastics is not possible. Due to the absence of particle toxicity data for microplastics, it is currently not feasible to estimate the potential hazards associated with microplastic particles in food,” Capangpangan said.

The researcher made the statement following the publication of his research which discovered that some bangus samples collected in Mindanao had microplastics, which indicated plastic pollution in the area.

“It is not enough to count microplastics. There’s a need to have a harmonized protocol about its toxicity threshold level to identify its effect on humans,” he added.

Meanwhile, Marybeth Banda, a member of Capangpangan’s research team, said that microplastics, while they are not toxic on their own, can attract other toxic materials, which can pose adverse health concerns if they are ingested.

“While microplastics themselves may not be inherently toxic, their chemical nature allows them to attract and accumulate other toxic substances on their surfaces. When microplastics with attached toxic substances are ingested, they pose a potential threat to human health,” Banda said.

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