Environmental health risk analysis of microplastics due to consumption of squid and mussels at coastal area

Microplastic in marine environment represent a global issue, originating from both land-based and ocean-based activities. The microplastic contamination in marine biota can lead to the ingestion of microplastics by human through the consumption. This study aims to investigates the abundance of microplastic in marine biota and to assess human health risk among community in coastal area of Muncar District – Banyuwangi Regency. This study was conducted in the coastal area of Muncar district in 2023. The sample of mussels and squid was collected 100 gr, respectively, used to measure the abundance of microplastics. Additionally, 130 respondents were recruited to assess the health risk among community. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with was used to examine the influence of microplastic concentration, the intake rate, and human health risk with Smart PLS 3. The total abundance of microplastic in mussels and squid was found 23 particles or 0.23 particle per gram. The microplastics identified were primarily fiber, with colors including transparent, purple, red and black. The microplastics consisted of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester terephthalic acid and Polyvinyl acetate ethylene. The indirect effect between microplastics concentration, intake rate and hazard quotient are significant (p-value < 0.05). Therefore, microplastic concentrations in marine biota can influence carcinogenic intake, which in turn becomes an indirect factor affecting hazard quotient associated with microplastic consumption. Prolonged or excessive consumption of marine biota with high levels of microplastics can lead to increased carcinogenic intake, thereby elevating the potential health risks to humans.