Shortly before the final negotiations on a global agreement on plastic waste, an alarming study on microplastics shows that plastic particles can be found in fecal samples of wild animals even in remote natural areas.
The Greenpeace study, conducted in collaboration with researchers from Hong Kong and Taiwan, found microplastics in the feces of buffalo, wild boar, wild oxen, macaques and porcupines. The 100 samples were collected from seven different locations in 2022.
Microplastics in 85 percent of the samples
Microplastics were found in 85 percent of samples tested in Hong Kong, even far from urban areas. Mostly polyethylene and polypropylene, which are often used for disposable packaging.
Despite Hong Kong’s urban density, the region is also known for its natural landscapes, home to an abundance of wildlife, including Lantau Island and forested mountains. There are concerns, among other things, that microplastics could enter the food chain.
The results of the study now presented are “important because they show that wildlife can ingest microplastics on land, far away from urban areas and human activities,” says researcher Christelle Not from the University of Hong Kong.
“Global problem”
While a growing body of research shows microplastics in many natural environments and even in the human body, plastic pollution has become a “global problem” that needs to be addressed “urgently,” she added, calling for the adoption of a “strong global agreement.”
Source: Krone
I am an experienced and passionate journalist with a strong track record in news website reporting. I specialize in technology coverage, breaking stories on the latest developments and trends from around the world. Working for Today Times Live has given me the opportunity to write thought-provoking pieces that have caught the attention of many readers.
