A recent study has revealed that human brain tissue contains high levels of microplastics and nanoplastics, with some samples showing up to 30 times more pollutants than kidney or liver samples. The research, published in Nature Medicine, used 52 brain samples from autopsies and found nanosized shards of polyethylene, commonly used in plastic bags and food wrapping.
The study’s lead author, Matthew Campen, warned that the measurement methods are still being developed, but emphasized that more research is needed to understand the potential health effects. However, some experts believe that microplastics may be contributing to neurological conditions such as dementia.
Campen noted that the brain has a protective barrier that should prevent microplastics from entering the bloodstream, but it’s unclear why so many nanoplastics are able to cross this barrier. The study found an increase in micro and nanoplastics in brain and liver samples taken from individuals who died in 2024 compared to 2016.
While the study’s findings are concerning, experts say that reducing exposure to microplastics can be achieved through simple actions such as washing hands before eating, removing plastic from food, and avoiding drinking from plastic bottles. The researchers also noted that microplastics may not accumulate in the human body over time, suggesting that environmental contamination could lead to a decrease in human exposure levels if reduced.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/microplastics-human-brains-high-levels-2025-1