The Mediterranean Sea, a beloved tourist destination, is now suffering from severe pollution, posing health risks to millions.
Barbie Latza Nadeau reports for CNN.
In short:
- More than 87% of the Mediterranean is contaminated with microplastics and toxic chemicals, per a WWF report.
- The region's pollution, mainly from Egypt, Turkey, and Italy, endangers 150 million residents and 270 million annual tourists.
- Microplastics ingested through seafood can reach 100,000 particles per day, threatening human health.
Key quote:
“Current knowledge suggests that [microplastics and nanoplastics] can enter the bloodstream through ingestion or inhalation, triggering inflammation and oxidative stress.”
— Raffaele Marfella, professor of advanced science at the Vanvitelli University in Naples
Why this matters:
From plastic debris washing up on beaches to chemical contaminants lurking beneath the waves, the pollutants are varied and dangerous. Marine life, already pressured by climate change and overfishing, is further endangered by these pollutants, which disrupt ecosystems and food chains.
