A collaborative study between University of Gothenburg and Leipzig researchers revealed that recycled polyethylene pellets release over 80 different chemicals into water, some acting as endocrine disruptors. Exposing zebrafish larvae to leachate caused altered gene expression relating to lipid metabolism and endocrine regulation, signaling significant physiological disruption even with short exposure. This raises concerns over chemical additives in recycled plastics entering ecosystems and food chains, implicating potential health risks including hormonal imbalance and metabolic disorders in humans and wildlife.