Scientists have discovered a new disease called plasticosis, which affects wildlife that ingest plastic debris. The disease causes severe scarring in the digestive tracts of animals, specifically seabirds like flesh-footed shearwaters. The scarring and tissue damage directly correlate with the amount of plastic found in the animals' systems, impacting their ability to digest food and absorb nutrients.

This groundbreaking research highlights the significant implications of plastic pollution on wildlife populations worldwide. Plasticosis is a fibrotic disease entirely caused by human pollution, representing a new category of wildlife illness that could not have existed before the widespread production of plastic. Scientists are calling for more aggressive policies to limit plastic production and improve waste management to prevent further harm to wildlife populations.