Study Finds Rising Levels of Microplastics in Human Brains

Research shows a 50% increase in microplastic accumulation in brain tissue over eight years, raising concerns about potential health impacts.

Microplastics, including nanoplastics, have been found in human brain tissue at significantly higher concentrations than in other organs such as the liver and kidneys.
The study, published in Nature Medicine, observed a 50% increase in brain microplastic levels between 2016 and 2024, with dementia patients showing up to ten times higher concentrations.
Researchers identified polyethylene, a common plastic used in packaging, as the most prevalent polymer, with particles small enough to cross the blood-brain barrier.
The health effects of microplastic accumulation in the brain remain unclear, though concerns include potential interference with blood flow, neural connections, and protein aggregation linked to neurological diseases.
Most microplastics are thought to enter the body through food, particularly meat, as plastic contamination amplifies through agricultural and food production practices.