A new study has revealed high levels of microplastics in Dundalk Bay, with the tiny plastic particles found in both the sand and shellfish. The research, led by Dr. Stephen Kneel from Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT), highlights the growing environmental threat posed by microplastics in this Special Protected Area (SPA).
The study, published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin, examined common cockles and beach sand in Dundalk Bay. Microplastics, commonly reported as plastic particles less than 5mm in size, are a growing concern due to their potential impact on both the environment and human health. Recent research has even found microplastics in human arterial plaque and linked them to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
