Cocaine and Caffeine Detected in Bahamas Sharks; Emerging Pollutants Permeate Ocean
A study analyzing 82 sharks found 23 individuals in Bahamian waters tested positive for four emerging pollutants, including cocaine, caffeine, acetaminophen, and diclofenac.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 6, 2026 at 19:21
- 🔍 Collected: April 6, 2026 at 23:28 (4h 7m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 7, 2026 at 00:23 (55 min after Collected)
NBC News reported that this study analyzed 82 sharks, 23 of which tested positive for four emerging pollutants: acetaminophen, diclofenac, cocaine, and caffeine.
Acetaminophen is a main ingredient in common painkillers, while diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
The study captured five species of sharks: lemon sharks, Atlantic nurse sharks, blacktip sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, and tiger sharks.
This is not the first time cocaine has been detected in sharks; in 2024, over 10 sharks off the coast of Brazil tested positive for cocaine.
However, the study noted that this is the first time caffeine and acetaminophen have been detected in sharks globally. It is also the first time diclofenac and cocaine have been found in sharks in Bahamian waters, an environment generally considered unpolluted.
The study also found that sharks containing emerging pollutants showed abnormal changes in triglyceride, urea, and lactic acid concentrations compared to other sharks.
Acetaminophen is a main ingredient in common painkillers, while diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
The study captured five species of sharks: lemon sharks, Atlantic nurse sharks, blacktip sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, and tiger sharks.
This is not the first time cocaine has been detected in sharks; in 2024, over 10 sharks off the coast of Brazil tested positive for cocaine.
However, the study noted that this is the first time caffeine and acetaminophen have been detected in sharks globally. It is also the first time diclofenac and cocaine have been found in sharks in Bahamian waters, an environment generally considered unpolluted.
The study also found that sharks containing emerging pollutants showed abnormal changes in triglyceride, urea, and lactic acid concentrations compared to other sharks.