Hout Bay’s mussels reveal hidden pollution crisis

A study led by UCT's postdoctoral researcher Dr Cecilia Ojemaye found that pharmaceutical and personal care product compounds (PPCPs) in mussels from Hout Bay indicate ongoing marine pollution, even far from pollution sources. These contaminants, originating from human waste and wastewater discharges, accumulate in marine life, raising concerns about sewage management and environmental monitoring in this iconic Cape Town coastal area.