June 23, 2025
(M-Brain Nordic News)
–
A study by the
University of Gothenburg
in
Sweden
shows that recycled polyethylene plastic leaks chemicals into water that can affect the hormones and metabolism of zebrafish fry. The researchers bought plastic pellets recovered from polyethylene plastic from different parts of the world and let the pellets lie in water for 48 hours. The experiment shows that the gene expression in the fry increased in connection with lipid metabolism and hormone regulations. Lead author and researcher in ecotoxicology at the
University of Gothenburg
, Azora König Kardgar, says these short leaching and exposure times are yet another indicator of the risks that chemicals in plastics pose to living organisms. Previous research has shown that exposure to toxic chemicals in plastics has similar effects on humans, including threats to reproductive health and obesity.
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