Source: Health Day
A study by Texas A&M University has revealed that fentanyl, a potent opioid, has been detected in the blubber of bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico. Researchers found traces of fentanyl in 30 of 89 dolphins sampled, including 18 live dolphins from Texas waters and all 12 deceased dolphins from Mississippi. This discovery highlights the growing issue of pharmaceuticals as micropollutants in marine environments.
Dolphin blubber serves as an effective indicator of ocean pollution due to its ability to store contaminants. Sampling locations included Redfish Bay, Laguna Madre, and Mississippi coastal waters. The contamination appears linked to human opioid use, with one deceased dolphin found near the site of a major fentanyl drug bust. The study also noted that areas with higher pharmaceutical concentrations often face other environmental threats, such as oil spills and algal blooms. Researchers stress the need for large-scale studies to understand the impact of pharmaceutical pollution on marine life.
Read the full story HERE: https://www.healthday.com/health-news/general-health/dolphins-are-testing-positive-for-fentanyl