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Microplastics, tiny particles of polymers, are found in all corners of the planet, in particular, in the human brain, where its concentration significantly exceeds the level in other organs.
A study by the University of New Mexico found that levels of microplastics in brain tissue are seven to thirty times higher than in the liver or kidneys. As toxicologist Matthew Campen notes, “the average brain could contain 4800 micrograms of microplastics per gram, or about 0,48% by weight,” which is equivalent to an entire plastic spoon. The scientists found 12 different polymers in the frontal cortex, and their concentrations have increased significantly over the past eight years.
The researchers developed a technique for analyzing biological tissues that involves dissolving samples, heating them, and studying the gases released. It was found that microplastics can be smaller than 200 nanometers, which allows them to pass through the blood-brain barrier. However, the mechanism by which particles accumulate in the brain remains unclear.
The main source of microplastics in the human body is considered to be food products, in particular meat, because
The bioaugmentation chain includes livestock feed, using manure as fertilizer, and returning plastic to the soil.
It is not yet known how microplastics affect human health, but they have been found to be present in higher concentrations in the brain tissue of people with dementia. Researchers cannot say that plastic causes the disease, but they suggest that it may affect blood circulation or act as a catalyst for pathological processes.
Despite the lack of evidence of toxicity of the polymers themselves, Kampen emphasizes:
and can affect the connections between neurons. Further research is needed to determine the true threat of microplastics, but it is already important to understand the extent of their accumulation in the human brain.
Scientists Discover Significant Accumulation of Microplastics in Human Brain appeared first on Curiosity.
