Bisphenol A and its analogs in muscle and liver of fish from the North East Atlantic Ocean in relation to microplastic contamination. Exposure and risk to human consumers

Abstract The role of microplastics as a carrier of hazardous chemicals in the marine environment is an emerging issue, as well as the leaching of plastic additives from marine microplastics, such as bisphenols, to wild organisms. In the present study, the levels of bisphenol A and analagous compounds in muscle and liver of fish species from the North East Atlantic Ocean were determined and the risk of their consumption by humans was assessed. The relationship between bisphenol and microplastics levels were also investigated. The highest levels of bisphenols were found in the liver, followed by those in the muscle, with maximal concentrations of 302 and 272 ng/g dry weight, respectively. Fish with microplastics had significantly higher concentrations of bisphenols than fish where no microplastics were found. The levels of bisphenols were correlated with higher microplastic intake. Regarding human food safety, the estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) assessed were higher than those established by the European Food Safety Authority suggesting hazardous risk for human consumers. This study provides field evidence that microplastics may be a potential source of bisphenols to wild fish and highlight the need of more research on the role of microplastics in leaching of plastic additives to marine organisms, especially those intended for human consumption as food.