June 10, 2025|
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|6 months agoMicroplastics Detected in Swiss Wildlife, Raising Environmental Concerns
New study reveals widespread contamination of microplastics in various Swiss wild animals, with some specimens containing over 600 particles per gram in their digestive systems.
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Generated IllustrationKey Takeaways
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- Microplastics have been detected in the faeces of nine distinct Swiss wildlife species, including roe deer, wild boar, chamois, and wolves.
- Researchers from EPFL analyzed 15 faecal samples using a hydrogen peroxide dissolution method to isolate plastic particles.
- Contamination levels vary significantly by region and species, with samples from Valais, Bern, Graubünden, and Zurich showing different concentrations.
By The Numbers
Over 600
particles per gram
7
particles per gram
4
particles per gram
15
samples
They Said
"The extent of environmental pollution caused by microplastics requires immediate and effective national and international political measures."
"This is the only way to reduce the amount of microplastics in the short term."