Study finds rising microplastic levels in human brains

A new study published in the journal Nature Medicine found that microplastics in human brains have increased by 50% over the past eight years.

The University of New Mexico Health Sciences researchers also found that dementia patients have up to 10 times more microplastics in their brains than others.

What are microplastics and how do they enter the brain?
Microplastics are tiny fragments of degraded plastic polymers that are small enough (200 nanometers or less) to cross the blood-brain barrier. They can enter the bloodstream through ingestion and inhalation, but how they reach the brain remains unclear.

Researchers found 12 different polymers in the brain tissues they analyzed and the most common was polyethylene, widely used in food packaging and containers, bottles, cups and more.

Lead researcher and toxicologist Matthew Campen suspects the ingestion occurs through food, particularly meat. Scientists urge more attention and awareness of microplastics’ potential health risks.