Plastic litter can pass on pollutants and chemical additives to marine wildlife
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/newsalert.htm
Science for Environment Policy
Issue 363, 27 February 2014
Plastic litter can pass on pollutants and chemical additives to marine
wildlife
New research has provided the first conclusive evidence that
microplastics ingested by marine wildlife can transfer toxic pollutants
to their tissues. The researchers studied lugworms fed on PVC particles
contaminated with either widespread marine pollutants or plastic
additives and found that these 'earthworms of the sea' absorbed the
chemicals into their gut tissue, which reduced their ability to perform
essential functions.
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/pdf/363na6.pdf