A recent research study conducted by Dalhousie University has revealed the presence of microplastics in lobsters caught off the coast of Nova Scotia. Researchers from Dalhousie’s School for Resource and Environmental Studies gathered 16 lobsters from various locations in the province in 2022. They examined the edible parts of the tails using a specific dye that illuminates microplastics under a microscope. Analysis of the 16 lobsters showed the presence of different types of microplastics, with an average of six to seven particles per gram of meat.
Lead author Amber LeBlanc, a former master’s student at Dalhousie, expressed her lack of surprise at the microplastics’ presence but was astonished by their minuscule size, which is about 30 times smaller than a human hair. The predominant types of plastics found in the lobsters were polyethylene vinyl acetate, polyester, and polysulfone. The lobsters were sourced from various fishing areas in Nova Scotia, with those from southwest Nova Scotia exhibiting the highest microplastic concentration.
While microplastics were detected in all samples, further research is needed due to the study’s limited sample size. The study’s co-author, Tony Walker, described the microplastic levels in lobster meat as relatively low compared to other food sources. The potential health implications of consuming microplastics remain uncertain, according to Karl Jobst, an associate professor at Memorial University, who studies the effects of microplastics on human health.
Industry representatives in Nova Scotia raised concerns about the study’s sample size and emphasized that microplastics are prevalent in various food sources. They highlighted the need for a broader analysis of microplastic concentrations in different foods. The study’s authors stressed the importance of additional research to understand the impact of microplastics on both lobsters and human health.
