Microplastics Found in Human Brains, Study Reveals

Research from the University of New Mexico, published in Nature, suggests that human brains may contain several grams of microplastics. There is limited information on the health effects of microplastics on humans, prompting the RIVM to call for further studies.

The most prevalent microplastic found was polyethylene, commonly used in packaging materials like plastic bottles. Researchers detected approximately 5000 micrograms of plastics per gram of brain tissue.

Matthew Campen, a study contributor, mentioned to Volkskrant that an entire human brain could potentially contain a few grams of microplastics, comparable to a plastic spoon’s weight. The brains analyzed belonged to individuals who died between 2016 and 2024.

Notably, those who died in 2024 had up to 50% more microplastics compared to those who died earlier. Microplastics were also detected in other body parts, such as the kidneys, but in significantly lower amounts.

Microplastics are tiny fibers and fragments, no more than a few millimeters in size, entering the body through food, drink, and air. Most microplastics in the environment originate from tire wear.

The study also examined the brains of twelve deceased dementia patients, finding three to five times more microplastics compared to non-dementia individuals. This does not necessarily indicate a causal link, according to neurotoxicologist Remco Westerink, who explained to Volkskrant that external substances penetrate more easily in dementia cases.

Furthermore, the study discovered that the human body eliminates microplastics, as older individuals did not have more than younger ones. The research showed that age, gender, cause of death, or ethnicity do not influence the amount of microplastics in the brain.

Source: NOS

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