Tahong samples from PHL test positive for microplastics

Green mussels taken from different areas in the Philippines have tested positive for microplastic, GMA News' Ian Cruz reported Friday on 24 Oras.

In a study conducted by Dr. Jose Isagani Janairo of the De La Salle University in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the green mussels or tahong samples taken from three different locations were tested using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

The results of the study show that two out of the three samples tested 100 percent positive for microplastics.

The third sample, meanwhile, tested positive for "suspected microplastics."

"This is the first time we encounter analyzing samples with possible contamination of microplastic in the tahong or green mussels shells using FTIR," Dr. Araceli Monsada, director of the DOST Advanced Materials Testing Laboratory, said.

The type of plastic present in the mussels was also identified.

"Polyethylene or PET," Janairo said.

"Karaniwang uri ng plastic ito sa mga bote, 'yung mga sa mineral water, minsan ginagamit rin siya sa textiles, sa fabrics."

Some microplastic fragments are so small, they are invisible to the naked eye.

Environmental groups like Greenpeace have been pushing for a ban on single-use plastics as these tend to be broken down into microplastics that could end up in the ocean and that these may eventually also affect  human health.

"May mga pag-aaral na nagsasabi na may mga kemikal na kumakapit sa microplastic tapos kapag kinain natin iyong microplastics maaaring malipat din itong kemikal na ito sa katawan natin," Janairo said.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, on the other hand, was not alarmed over the findings.

"Ito ay hindi dapat ikabahala," Roy Ortega, chief of the BFAR Aquaculture Division, said.

"Ang tahong sa Pilipinas po ay masasabi nating ligtas kainin, maliban na lamang sa mga panahon na mayroon tayong tinatawag na red tide alert," he added. — Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News