Scientists are sounding the alarm over a recent study showing that microplastics can accumulate in the brain. Researchers from the US and Canada recently published a commentary discussing the science behind microplastics and their impact on the environment and human health.
Microplastics, defined as plastic pieces smaller than 5 millimeters, have been found in various environments, including mountaintop clouds, testicles, and baby poop. A new study published in Nature Medicine found that microplastics accumulate in organs such as livers, kidneys, and brains of deceased individuals, with higher concentrations detected in recently deceased people.
The study also linked microplastic exposure to dementia, suggesting a potential connection between the two. Researchers estimate that the average person’s brain may carry an entire spoonful of plastic fragments.
While more research is needed, scientists warn that microplastic exposure can have severe health impacts, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and cancer. The chemicals released from plastics have been linked to infertility, certain cancers, and metabolic disorders.
To minimize exposure to microplastics, individuals can take steps such as drinking filtered tap water, reducing consumption of foods containing high levels of microplastics, and storing leftovers in glass or stainless steel containers instead of plastic ones.
Despite the urgent need for action, many questions remain unanswered, including how microplastics enter the brain and how they are flushed from the body. However, scientists call for governments to reduce collective exposure to microplastics and policymakers to take concrete steps to address this issue.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/scientists-sound-the-alarm-over-plastics-in-our-brains-after-shocking-study-2000570727