Study Reveals Alarming Plastic Levels in Human Brains
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Synopsis
A study from Ontario reveals concerning levels of microplastics in human brains, with alarming implications for health. Research indicates that individuals with dementia have significantly higher concentrations, raising questions about the impact of plastic on neurological conditions.
Key Takeaways
- Human brains contain plastic.
- Microplastics are linked to dementia.
- Plastic intake can be reduced by switching to tap water.
- Heating food in plastic releases microplastics.
- Further research is needed on health impacts.
Ontario, March 4 (NationPress) A plastic spoon’s worth of plastic is present in your brain, researchers cautioned on Tuesday, unveiling disturbing new findings regarding microplastic buildup in human brain tissue.
Published in the journal Brain Medicine, the study indicated that human brains contain nearly a spoon's worth of microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs), with concentrations being 3-5 times greater in individuals diagnosed with documented dementia.
Even more alarming, brain tissues exhibited concentrations of MNPs that were 7-30 times higher than those found in other organs such as the liver or kidney.
Dr. Nicholas Fabiano from the University of Ottawa's Department of Psychiatry, who is the lead author of the commentary, stated, “The dramatic increase in brain microplastic concentrations over just eight years, from 2016 to 2024, is particularly alarming.” He added, “This rise mirrors the exponential increase we're seeing in environmental microplastic levels.”
Particles smaller than 200 nanometers, primarily made of polyethylene, were found to notably deposit in the walls of cerebrovascular structures and immune cells.
This size enables them to potentially traverse the blood-brain barrier, raising significant concerns regarding their impact on neurological disorders.
The commentary suggested that transitioning from bottled water to filtered tap water could drastically lower microplastic intake from 90,000 to just 4,000 particles annually.
Dr. Brandon Luu, an Internal Medicine Resident at the University of Toronto, remarked, “Bottled water alone can expose people to nearly as many microplastic particles annually as all ingested and inhaled sources combined.”
By opting for tap water, individuals could reduce this exposure by nearly 90%, representing one of the simplest methods to decrease microplastic intake.
Other major sources include plastic tea bags, which can release millions of micro and nano-sized particles during each brewing session.
Researchers noted that heating food in plastic containers—particularly in microwaves—can release considerable amounts of microplastics and nanoplastics.
“Avoiding plastic food storage and using glass or stainless-steel alternatives is a small yet impactful step in minimizing exposure. While these changes are logical, further research is needed to confirm whether reducing intake results in lower accumulation in human tissues,” Dr. Luu emphasized.
