Microplastics have now been found in humans brainAccumulate over time to about a spoonful and potentially more, according to a recent study.
The study published Monday in Nature Medicine have found high concentrations of microplastics in the human brain – higher than in any other organ – on issues on their potential role in neurological diseases.
Research on the health sciences of the New Mexico University (UNM) has revealed that the accumulation of plastic in the brain has increased by 50% in the past eight years, with patients with dementia showing until ‘At 10 times plastic levels compared to others.
“We are starting to think that these plastics may hinder blood circulation in the capillaries,” said the author and the main toxicologist Matthew Campen in a press release.
“There is the potential that these nanomaterials interfere with the connections between axons in the brain. They could also be an aggregation seed of the proteins involved in dementia. We just don’t know.
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, generally five millimeters or more, which detach larger plastics in the environment.
Nanoplastics are even more tiny – so small as they are invisible to the naked eye, explained Erica Cirino, head of Plastic Pollution Coalition communications and author of Thicker than water: the quest for solutions to the plastic crisis.
And they are everywhere, she said-in our food, our drinking water and the oceans.
She said that if the discovery of plastic in the brain is certainly shocking, it is unfortunately not surprising.
“The brain seems to be a major accumulation area for plastic, including microplastics and nanoplastics,” said Cirino.
“But knowing that perhaps more than any other organ, the brain is an accumulation of these particles is very worrying. The brain is the power of our body in many ways. »»
Previous research has revealed that microplastics in other parts of the human body, including the kidneys,, liver and testicles, as well as in the placenta.
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And other studies reveal the effects on the health of microplastics, including links to heart disease,, stroke,, Reproduction problems,, erectile dysfunction And even death. Recent mouse research Also suggests a potential connection with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson and SLA.
12 different plastics found in the brain
For this study, the UNM team examined the brain tissue samples given by the office of the New Mexico of the medical investigator, which is required by law to preserve autopsy tissues for seven years before the ‘elimination.
The older samples, dating from 2016 on average, were compared to the tissues taken in 2024.
All the samples have been taken from the front cortex, the brain area located just above and behind the eyes, Campen said.
The researchers identified 12 different types of plastics in the brain fabric. The most common polymer they found was polyethylene, which is widely used in everyday items such as packaging, bottles and cups.
They also discovered clusters of tiny plastic fragments as small as 200 nanometers or more – on the size of viruses.
These tiny plastic parts are small enough to potentially pass through the blood-brain barrier, a protective layer which generally prevents harmful substances from entering the brain, the researchers said.
They found significantly higher levels of microplastics in the brain fabric of 2024 compared to the 2016 samples, regardless of age, sex, race, ethnicity or cause of the patient’s death.
Campen told CNN on Monday That the concentrations found in the brain fabric of normal individuals, with an average age of around 45 to 50 years, were 4,800 micrograms per gram.
“This is equivalent to a whole standard plastic spoon,” said Campen.
Although researchers have found plastic in the brain, they are still not sure of the exact method by which these particles are transported to the brain.
Cambean suspects that most microplastics in the body are ingested by food, especially meat, as commercial meat production tends to concentrate plastics in the food chain.
“The way we irrigate the fields with contaminated plastic water, we apply that plastics are built there,” said Campen. “We feed these cultures to our cattle. We take manure and put it back on the ground, so there may be a kind of road biomagnification. »»
Researchers said the results should give rise to a global threat to human health.
“I have not yet met a single human being who says:” There is a bunch of plastic in my brain and I am completely cool with that “,” said Camen.
Cirino said that even if microplastics are widespread, you can still limit your exposure by examining and modifying some of your household items.
“So, instead of drinking plastic water bottles, opt for stainless steel, ceramic or glass containers. It’s a really simple exchange, ”she said.
“Carry reusable canvas bags when you go shopping at the store, try to buy loose fruits and vegetables and other loose foods rather than in simple plastic containers. When you get clothes, it’s always great to shop for used because you reduce waste.
It has recommended to make a change at a time, noting that as long as you reduce plastic around you, you will lower your inhalation, ingestion and overall exposure to plastic particles.
– With Global News Saba Aziz files