A new report published on 25 November in Environmental International, written by scientists from the Plymouth Marine Laboratory and University of Exeter, suggests that microplastics like the bio-beads accidentally released from Southern Water’s Eastbourne wastewater treatment works on 29 October, pose not just a threat to the environment but may also be a risk to human health.
Microplastics such as nurdles (small plastic pellets used as raw materials for making plastic products) and bio-beads (plastic pellets, used in wastewater treatment, which enable bacteria to grow on their surface so cleaning the water) are particles that are less than 5mm in size. They cause widespread pollution in sea, rivers, soil and lakes and have been detected in animals and humans.
The study was prompted by concerns that bacteria which gathers on the surface of these plastics form biofilms known as the Plastisphere and that these may include disease-causing (pathogenic) or antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria.
The report titled Sewers to Seas: Exploring Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance on Microplastics from Hospital Wastewater to Marine Environments found that bacterial biofilms were on bio-beads, nurdles, polystyrene, wood and glass placed for two months in a waterway, and that pathogens and AMR bacteria were found on all surfaces. Bacteria that carry genes resistant to key antibiotics were found in the microplastic biofilms on nurdles and bio-beads.
Dr Emily Stevens, lead author and PhD researcher with Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the University of Exeter at the time of the study, commented, “Following the recent concerning release of sewage bio-beads in Sussex, this timely study highlights the pathogenic and AMR risk posed by microplastic substrates littering our ocean and coasts. By identifying high-risk substrates, we can improve the monitoring of those or even phase them out for safer alternatives.
“As this work highlights the diverse and sometimes harmful bacteria that grows on plastic in the environment, we recommend that any beach cleaning volunteer should wear gloves during clean-ups and always wash your hands afterwards.”
Head of Group for Marine Ecology and Society at Plymouth Marine Laboratory and co-author, Professor Pennie Lindeque said, “Protected within their biofilms, each microplastic particle effectively becomes a tiny vehicle capable of transporting potential pathogens from sewage works to beaches, swimming areas and shellfish growing sites.”
The study team stressed the need for further research on how microplastics interact with other pollutants and for improved waste management practices to reduce the spread of AMR and pathogenic organisms in the environment.
In light of this, it is strongly advised that workers and volunteers collecting bio-beads on the beach at Camber and beyond, should wear gloves and wash hands after handling.
Image Credits: Juliet Duff .