Dolphins Exhale Microplastics, Reflecting Widespread Pollution

New research has detected microplastics exhaled by dolphins, marking another alarming sign of global plastic pollution. These particles, found in every dolphin tested, show how integrated plastic waste is in various ecosystems, raising concerns about health impacts on marine life and humans.

The widespread issue of plastic pollution has now reached the breaths of bottlenose dolphins, as scientists have discovered microplastics in every dolphin they studied. Published in the journal PLOS One, this research suggests that inhalation could be a significant pathway through which marine mammals absorb these harmful particles. Nearly 2 million tons of plastic waste infiltrate our oceans annually, breaking down into microplastics that can cause inflammation and carry dangerous chemicals. Highlighting the ubiquity of this pollution, Leslie B. Hart from the College of Charleston points out that plastic permeates even seemingly untouched environments. Dolphins, often studied due to their presence in populous coastal areas, act as indicators of pollution levels. Previous findings have detected microplastics in the lungs of wild birds and shown that humans can inadvertently ingest large quantities yearly. This research emphasizes the global scale of plastic pollution and its potential threats to both wildlife and human health.