Microplastics, tiny shards of plastic that are almost invisible, have been detected in human brains for the first time. The finding has sparked concern about potential health effects, but experts say more research is needed to confirm the risks.
The microplastics were found in brain tissue samples from people who died in 2016 and last year in the US state of New Mexico. The study found that the amount of microplastics increased over time, with some samples containing as much as a spoon’s worth of plastic. However, other researchers have expressed caution about the small study.
“Toxicologist Theodore Henry said that while the finding is interesting, it should be interpreted cautiously pending independent verification,” said Dr. Jones, a chemistry professor at Australia’s RMIT University. “There is not enough data to make firm conclusions on the occurrence of microplastics in New Mexico, let alone globally.”
The study’s lead researcher, Matthew Campen, estimated that around 10 grammes of plastic could be isolated from a donated human brain, but other experts have questioned this estimate.
One major challenge in studying the effects of microplastics on health is that most research has been observational, which means it cannot establish cause and effect. However, some studies have found links between microplastic exposure and increased risks of heart attack, stroke, and death.
Despite these findings, many experts agree that more research is needed to fully understand the risks of microplastics. The World Health Organization has stated that “the evidence is insufficient to determine risks to human health” from microplastics.
As the world produces increasingly large amounts of plastic, with production doubling since 2000 and expected to triple by 2060, experts are urging action to address this pressing issue. A report published this week ahead of upcoming treaty talks in Geneva says that “policy decisions cannot wait for complete data.”
By taking action now to limit exposure, improve risk assessment methodologies, and prioritize vulnerable populations, we can address this critical issue before it escalates into a broader public health crisis.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/microplastics-are-infiltrating-your-brain-what-are-the-effects