Fibreglass from boats found in marine food chain for first time

Researchers from the universities of Portsmouth and Brighton discovered tiny fragments of glass fibre, commonly used in boat manufacturing, in shellfish off the south coast of England. These needle-shaped fibreglass pieces were found in the tissue of oysters and mussels, raising concerns about potential health risks for consumers. The study revealed up to 11,220 fibreglass particles per kilogram of oysters and 2,740 per kilogram of mussels, with some fragments present in the flesh of the shellfish. While more research is needed to understand the implications for human health, experts suggest that the shellfish industry should focus on cleaning out these particles before consumption. Fibreglass debris, generated when boats degrade or are cut, poses a threat to marine life as it accumulates in the food chain, impacting organisms like mussels and potentially reaching consumers through seafood consumption. Proper disposal methods for fibreglass boats are recommended to prevent further contamination of the marine environment.