Overview
- Scientists tested blood from 85 sharks near Eleuthera Island and found 28 with detectable caffeine, diclofenac, acetaminophen, or, in a few cases, cocaine.
- Blood sampling captures recent exposure, expanding on earlier tissue studies in Brazil that showed longer-term contamination.
- The research team links the chemicals to sewage and nearshore urination tied to tourism, identifying human waste as the likely source.
- Sharks with drug residues showed changes in triglycerides, urea, and lactate, with unknown health impacts that could affect behavior.
- The authors urge stronger wastewater controls and ongoing monitoring, reporting first detections for some drugs in sharks and first records in Bahamian waters.