Scientists from the Universities of Brighton and Portsmouth have discovered that oysters and mussels contain significant amounts of fiberglass, "MIR 24" reports with reference to the Journal of Hazardous Materials.
Previously, it was believed that fiberglass did not pose a threat to the environment. However, recent analysis has shown that this material can break down, polluting coastal waters and entering the food chain.
The study was carried out on shellfish collected near an active shipyard in Chichester Harbor in southern England. Using micro-Raman spectroscopy, the scientists found 2740 glass fiber particles per kilogram in mussels and 11220 particles per kilogram in oysters.
Fiberglass, known for its strength, has been used since the 1960s. However, its disposal poses a serious problem, often resulting in uncontrolled release. As a result, microscopic glass particles end up in the water and then into the bodies of filter-feeding creatures such as mussels and oysters.
This phenomenon poses a danger not only to marine ecosystems, but also to human health. Mussels and oysters, considered a healthy delicacy, can be harmful due to their high fiberglass content.