Recent research has unveiled a startling presence of microplastics in human brains. According to a new paper, which is yet to be peer-reviewed and is currently hosted on the National Library of Medicine website as a preprint, brain samples from cadavers show that microplastics constitute an average of 0.48% of their weight.
Contents
Research Background
Matthew Campen, a professor at the University of New Mexico who spearheaded the research, expressed his alarm to The Guardian, saying, “There’s much more plastic in our brains than I ever would have imagined or been comfortable with.” This groundbreaking study analyzed autopsy samples from human livers, kidneys, and frontal cortexes collected in Albuquerque, New Mexico, over eight years from 2016 to 2024.
Methodology of the Study
Researchers collected organs from the local medical examiner’s office, focusing on the brain’s frontal cortex, among other organs. This comprehensive analysis aimed to track the presence and increase of microplastics over time.
Findings of the Study
The findings were disturbing, with the levels of plastics in every tested organ having risen over the years. However, the increase was most notable in the brain, where the concentration of microplastics in 2024 was 50% higher on average than in 2016. The study also highlighted that the concentration in the brain was substantially higher than in the livers and kidneys by seven to 30 times. Polyethylene, a polymer commonly used in plastic bags and bottles, was the most prevalent type of plastic found.
Historical Context and Previous Research
Prior research has noted the presence of microplastics in the brains of fish, which affected their behavior. While it has been acknowledged that humans could also accumulate these particles, the extent to which this was occurring was previously unclear.
Health Implications
The implications of microplastics on health are profound. They have been linked to a range of issues, including neural disorders, chronic diseases, DNA damage, organ dysfunction, metabolic disorders, and a weakened immune response. Researchers noted a correlation between the increase in microplastics and a global rise in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related conditions.
Sources of Microplastic Exposure
Microplastics are pervasive and found in everyday items such as toothpaste, beer, honey, salt, sugar, and both tap and bottled water. Additionally, invisible plastic particles are regularly inhaled with the air we breathe.
Broader Environmental and Health Effects
The study even touched on broader environmental concerns, suggesting that microplastics could influence weather patterns. Campen reflected on the troubling findings, stating, “I don’t know how much more plastic our brain can stuff in without it causing some problems.”
Final Thoughts
The research serves as a crucial wake-up call about the pervasive issue of plastic pollution and its direct impact on human health. As microplastics continue to infiltrate our most vital organs, the urgency for addressing this global environmental challenge has never been more apparent.
