Microplastics in poultry: Sources, bioaccumulation and human health consequences

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Animal Science
• Food Safety

Background:

• Microplastic (MP) contamination is a growing concern in food systems, including poultry production.
• Poultry are exposed to MPs via contaminated feed, water, litter, and environmental sources.
• MPs pose potential risks to poultry health and serve as a transmission route to humans.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on MP sources, transmission, and impacts in poultry.
• To highlight risks to animal and human health from MP contamination in poultry.
• To identify research gaps and suggest mitigation strategies for MP contamination in poultry production.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on microplastic contamination in poultry.
• Analysis of MP sources, pathways, and biological impacts in avian species.
• Assessment of potential human health risks associated with MP-contaminated poultry products.

Main Results:

• Poultry ingest MPs from feed, water, litter, and packaging, leading to accumulation in various tissues.
• MP ingestion disrupts poultry physiology, affecting metabolic, immune, and reproductive functions, potentially impairing growth and product quality.
• MP-contaminated poultry products represent a potential human exposure route, with associated health risks like inflammation and oxidative stress.

Conclusions:

• Research on MP exposure and impacts in poultry is limited but growing, indicating significant risks.
• Current human risk assessment is qualitative due to insufficient exposure data from edible poultry products.
• Multidisciplinary approaches, improved detection, regulation, and awareness are crucial for mitigating MP contamination in poultry and ensuring food safety.