Work

Assessment of Microplastic and Element Contamination in Fish Sold by Informal Roadside Vendors in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Fish is the cheapest source of protein, minerals, and vitamins for most households in sub–Saharan Africa. Of late, microplastic and metal pollution have raised concerns about food safety, especially in informal markets where fish is commonly sold and consumed. Informal roadside fish markets are, however, almost absent from this literature, and the extent to which post harvest handling adds to the contaminant load of the tissue that is actually eaten is unknown. This study assessed microplastic and element contamination in ready to eat braaied (open fire grilled) fish sold by roadside vendors in Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Fish samples ( n = 4 per stall) were collected from nine stalls, and microplastics extracted from the dorsolateral white muscle were characterised by morphology, colour and polymer type using stereomicroscopy and micro–Fourier transform infrared (µ–FTIR) spectroscopy, while element concentrations in the same tissue were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) following microwave assisted acid digestion. The study indicates high microplastic burdens, dominated by fibres, films, and fragments. Total microplastic abundances differed significantly among sites, with mean values ranging from ~ 105 particles kg − 1 at site 9 to ~ 470 particles kg − 1 at site 1. Transparent microplastics dominated, and colours such as black, blue, red, yellow, green and other occurred at much lower concentrations. Polymer identification by µ–FTIR showed that polyethylene (40.5%), polypropylene (23.8%), polystyrene (18.3%) and polyvinyl chloride (7.4%) accounted for most of the particles analysed. Iron (Fe) was the dominant trace element, showing the highest mean concentrations across all sites (~ 70–110 mg kg −1 ). The concentrations of the 12 elements recorded in braaied fish from roadside vendors varied among sites, and mean Cr, Cu, Se and Mo concentrations exceeded FAO/WHO recommended maximum levels for fish at several stalls. Estimated consumer intake ranged from ~ 180 to ~ 790 particles per meal (~ 2–12 particles kg − 1 body weight), with the highest values at stalls adjacent to busy roads. There is a need for improved hygiene practices, better control of plastic pollution, and enhanced food safety monitoring in informal fish markets in South Africa.

Source: Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

DOI: 10.1007/s00244-026-01223-3