Microplastics Found in Human Brains for the First Time
A recent alarming discovery about the impact of microplastic pollution on human health has been announced by scientists in the United States. For the first time, researchers have found that microplastics have entered human brains, livers, and kidneys. So, what are microplastics, and why are they so dangerous?
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles smaller than 5mm, formed from the breakdown of larger plastic products or produced directly from products like toothpaste and exfoliants. These microplastics can be found everywhere: in the air, water, and even our daily food. Everyone can accidentally inhale or ingest microplastics through environmental pollution.
Research has found that the concentration of microplastic particles in the human brain is 30 times higher than in the liver and kidneys. (Image: unsplash.com)
The study examined the concentration of microplastic particles in 51 samples taken from three parts: the liver, kidneys, and brains of both men and women during routine autopsies in Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA).
Since microplastics are too small to be seen with the naked eye or even under high-powered microscopes, scientists used sophisticated tools to determine the chemical composition of microplastics in each sample. And the results surprised them when they found that the amount of microplastics in the brain was 30 times higher than in the liver and kidneys.
Scientists hypothesize that microplastics may have entered the bloodstream and been pumped to the brain. But because the brain does not undergo cell renewal like other organs in the body, finding more plastic in the brain than in the liver and kidneys is not surprising.
The most commonly found microplastic in the study was polyethylene – a common plastic used to make products like bottle caps and plastic bags. The entry of microplastics into the body is mainly through contaminated food, water, and air. They can disrupt the gut microbiome and cause inflammation. This leads to effects on the entire body through the immune system and the complex two-way communication system between the gut and the brain.
Although the exact effects of microplastics on the human brain have not yet been definitively determined, previous experiments have shown that microplastics increase brain inflammation and damage nerve cells, altering gene expression and brain structure.
Scientists advise that until we have more scientific evidence on this issue, the best thing we can do is to minimize the use of single-use plastic products. Additionally, reducing exposure to synthetic fibers (household items, clothing), eating cooked food, and drinking boiled water are simple measures to help eliminate some of the microplastics in our daily lives, food, and drinking water.
Source: Science Alert
