Tiny plastic particles have been discovered in human brains, with higher amounts found in recent years compared to earlier studies. A new study published in Nature Medicine suggests that these plastic bits are more concentrated in the brain than in the liver or kidneys.
Scientists do not yet know how this affects human health, but the increase in plastic exposure could be a growing concern.
Over the past 50 years, the amount of plastic waste in the environment has risen sharply. As plastic breaks down, it creates microplastics (smaller than 500 micrometers) and nanoplastics (as tiny as 1 nanometer).
These particles are now found in water, soil, air, and even food. Scientists have long suspected that they may enter the human body through eating, drinking, or breathing, but it has been difficult to track where they go and whether they pose any danger.
In this new study, researcher Matthew Campen and his team examined tissue samples from the liver, kidneys, and brains of people who had died in 2016 and 2024.
They wanted to see how much plastic had accumulated in these organs and whether the amount had changed over time. They analyzed 52 brain samples—28 from 2016 and 24 from 2024—along with other organ samples.
The results showed that all tested organs contained plastic particles. The liver and kidney samples from 2016 had similar levels of plastic, but brain samples from that year had much higher concentrations. When the scientists compared samples from 2016 to those from 2024, they found a noticeable increase in plastic levels in both the brain and liver over time.
They also examined brain samples from people who had been diagnosed with dementia. Interestingly, these individuals had higher amounts of plastic particles in their brains compared to those without dementia.
However, the researchers caution that this does not prove plastic exposure causes dementia. More research is needed to understand whether plastic accumulation has any impact on brain function or overall health.
One limitation of the study is that all the tissue samples came from specific locations in the United States, such as New Mexico and the East Coast. The amount of plastic in the body could vary based on where a person lived, their diet, or their lifestyle. Scientists believe larger and more diverse studies are needed to see if this trend holds true worldwide.
While the study does not confirm whether plastic particles harm humans, it raises important questions. With plastic pollution continuing to rise, researchers need to investigate how these tiny particles might affect human health over time. Until more is known, this study serves as a reminder of the increasing presence of plastic in our environment and our bodies.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about Vitamin B9 deficiency linked to higher dementia risk, and cranberries could help boost memory.
For more health information, please see recent studies about heartburn drugs that could increase risk of dementia, and results showing this MIND diet may protect your cognitive function, prevent dementia.
The research findings can be found in Nature Medicine.
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