Laundry lint can cause significant tissue damage within marine mussels


Date:
October 2, 2020
Source:
University of Plymouth
Summary:
Research showed that ingesting lint caused significant abnormality
within the mussels' gills, as well as atrophy or deformities
leading to loss of definition in digestive tubules.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Microscopic fibres created during the laundry cycle can cause damage to
the gills, liver and DNA of marine species, according to new research.


========================================================================== Scientists at the University of Plymouth exposed the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), found in various locations across the world,
to differing quantities of tumble dryer lint.

They demonstrated that increasing the amount of lint resulted in
significant abnormality within the mussels' gills, specifically leading
to damage of tissues including deformity, extensive swelling and loss of
cilia. In the liver, the presence of lint led to atrophy or deformities
leading to loss of definition in digestive tubules.

The increasing concentration of fibres also led to a reduction in
the mussels' ability to filter food particles from the seawater and a significant increase in DNA strand breaks in the blood cells.

Scientists say the precise causes of the effects are not wholly clear,
but are likely to arise from the fibres themselves and chemicals present
within them.

They say the findings are unlikely to solely apply to lint, as its
properties are consistent with other textiles and fibres found commonly
in waste water and throughout the marine environment.

The study, published in the journal Chemosphere, was conducted by
academics in the School of Biological and Marine Sciences and School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Dr Andrew Turner, Associate Professor of Environmental Sciences, was the study's senior author and has previously conducted research highlighting
the chemicals -- including bromine, iron and zinc -- found within lint.

He said: "The laundering of clothes and other textiles is among
the most significant sources of synthetic microfibers within the
environment. However, despite their known presence in a range of species,
there have been very few studies looking in detail at their impact. This
study shows for the first time what harm they can cause, and it is
particularly interesting to consider that it is not just the fibres
themselves which create issues but also the cocktail of more harmful
chemicals which they can mobilise." Co-author Awadhesh Jha, Professor
in Genetic Toxicology and Ecotoxicology, added: "Mytilus species are
commonly used to monitor water quality in coastal areas, and the damage
shown to them in this study is a cause for significant concern. Given
their genetic similarity to other species and the fact they are found
all over the world, we can also assume these effects will be replicated
in other shellfish and marine species. Damage to DNA and impairment of
the filter feeding abilities would have potential impact on the health of
the organisms and the ecosystem. That is particularly significant as we
look in the future to increase our reliance on aquaculture as a global
source of food." This study is the latest research by the University
in the field, with it being awarded a Queen's Anniversary Prize for
Higher and Further Education in 2020 for its ground-breaking research
and policy impact on microplastics pollution in the oceans.

That research has included work showing that washing clothes releases
thousands of microplastic particles into environment, and that devices
fitted to washing machines can reduce the fibres produced in laundry
cycle by up to 80%.

Scientists from the University have also showed that wearing clothes
could release more microfibres to the environment than washing them.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Plymouth. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Nashami Alnajar, Awadhesh N. Jha, Andrew Turner. Impacts of
microplastic
fibres on the marine mussel, Mytilus
galloprovinciallis. Chemosphere, 2021; 262: 128290 DOI:
10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128290 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201002091035.htm

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