FROM THE LAUNDRY TO THE OCEAN: HOW TEXTILE MICROFIBERS COMPROMISE THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM OF OYSTERS

Polyester microfibers are common pollutants in aquatic 
environments, impacting filter-feeding organisms such as the oyster Crassostrea 
gasar. This study examined changes in the digestive glands of oysters exposed to 
microfibers from washing machines, simulating environmental conditions. 
Oysters were exposed to 531 MFs/L for 21 days, in each tank, with polyester 
extracted from the filter and washing machine hose. The results indicate harmful 
effects, such as intratubular necrosis, fibrosis, and hemocyte infiltration, caused 
by exposure to washing machine-extracted polyester in the oysters' digestive 
glands, demonstrating structural and functional changes in filter-feeding 
organisms and, potentially, in human health.