A new study published in Nature Medicine has found that humans are carrying up to a spoonful of microplastics in their brains. Researchers analyzed the brains of 52 deceased individuals and discovered higher concentrations of microplastics in the brain compared to other organs like the liver and kidneys.
The average amount of microplastics found in brain tissue was equivalent to the amount in a standard plastic spoon, with an average concentration of 4,800 micrograms per gram. Microplastics are small plastic pieces less than five millimeters long that originate from everyday plastic items.
Scientists believe that these tiny particles accumulate in fat cells within the brain’s insulating myelin sheath. Researchers suspect that plastics enter the body through food, particularly by ingesting meat contaminated with plastic fragments. The study’s lead toxicologist noted that the trend reflects increased environmental exposure to microplastics and expressed concerns about the potential health consequences.
While the research suggests some microplastics may not remain in the body indefinitely, others found higher concentrations of plastic in the brain, even among those without dementia. However, there is no evidence linking the level of plastics in the brain to an increased risk of developing dementia.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/micro-plastics-brain-dementia-b2693810.html