It is not clear whether the presence of plastic inside the mammals can be linked to their death. Deaville noted that only a few plastic fibers were found inside each animal. Eighty-four percent of the particles were fibers, while only 16 percent were fragments of larger plastic items. Researchers studying plastic debris discovered inside the bodies of dozens of dead whales, dolphins and seals say the majority of the items found were not plastic bags or drinking straws, but synthetic fibers from clothing. The Exeter report’s authors affirm that more research is needed to understand the health implications of plastic particles on living organisms that ingest them.

Source: Huffington Post January 31, 2019 14:37 UTC