Dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico have traces of human medications – including powerful opioids, muscle relaxants, and sedatives – in their fat, according to a new study that is sounding the alarm on pharmaceutical pollution and wastewater treatment.

Of 89 dolphins tested in the Gulf of Mexico, 30 contained some form of pharmaceutical—and 18 had fentanyl in their blubber.

Several bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico were found to have traces of fentanyl in their system, shocking scientists and bringing in a new set of questions in the ongoing drug epidemic.

Scientists have detected fentanyl and other drugs in dozens of dolphins from the Gulf of Mexico, which could have large implications on the overall health of the oceans.

Texas A&M scientists found 3,000 different pharmaceutical compounds inside the dolphins' blubber, including opioids, sedatives and relaxants.

Traces of fentanyl were found inside bottlenose dolphins that were found dead in the Gulf of Mexico, raising concerns that the deadly drug may be affecting other sea life.

Fentanyl -- an opioid that is 100 times more potent than morphine -- was detected in the tissues of 18 of the live dolphins that were biopsied, and in all of the 12 post-mortem tissues, the researchers said.

Traces of fentanyl were found inside bottlenose dolphins that were found dead in the Gulf of Mexico, raising concerns that the deadly drug may be affecting other sea life.