Microplastics Levels in Lake Ontario Fish Higher Than Global Average: Study

The levels of microplastics found in fish around Toronto are higher than global averages, according to a recent study. Co-authored by researchers from the University of Toronto and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, the study examined 45 samples of six fish species collected from Humber Bay in Lake Ontario. Researchers measured the level of microplastics found in fish gastrointestinal tracts (GI) and in fillets. Microplastics are defined in the report as small bits of plastic that can be up to five millimetres in size. Freshwater fish, such as those that were part of the study, have been found to have higher levels of microplastics than marine fish. Citing a 2021 study, the authors said that freshwater fish have an average of 8 particles while marine fish average 2.7 particles....