Significant increase in microplastics and nanoplasts found in the brain and liver of people observes a new study published in Nature Medicinewhich compared findings on human bodies from 2016 and 2024 in the US.

“Our estimation is that these plastics are not due to a recent report, but it is the result of a chronic exposure. This demonstrates the need for more comprehensive strategies about environmental policy and human health, “study author Marcus Garcia told DW New Mexico University.

Nevertheless, ‘there are currently no clear evidence of any impact on health [από τα νανοπλαστικά στον εγκέφαλο]”Oliver Jones, an expert in organic chemistry from the University of Melbourne, who did not participate in the study, says.

“The authors of the study only examined 54 samples in total. There is insufficient evidence to reach safe conclusions about the appearance of microplastics in New Mexico, and moreover, in the world, ”Jones adds.

Plastics are everywhere

Plastics are literally everywhere around us – in houses, in the air, in the food, in the bottles.

Microplastics are tiny plastic fragments, which usually enter our body through swallowing or breathing. They have been located in human organs for decades, but it has just begun to record their effects on our health.

There is some elements that suggest that the accumulation of microplastics, especially on vital organs such as the liver, can affect the normal biological functions of the human body.

The data collected in the study also show that the accumulation of microplastics was greater in the brains of 12 people with dementia.

The authors of the study, however, say this does not prove that microplastics cause dementia and further research should be conducted to determine whether or how the accumulation of microplastics in the brain – or other organs of the body – has an impact on one’s health .

As Garcia explains, “the consolidation of a causal link between microplastics and dementia needs extensive research to understand whether or how microplastics contribute to the development of neurological diseases.”

The interpretation of the findings of the research

Jones urges, for his part, to interpret the findings of the research.

As the expert points out, it is impossible to get the findings of such a small study and draw on the conclusions of people around the world. In addition, research may have overestimated the amount of microplastics in the brains of the carcasses examined.

According to Jones, the main analytical method used to measure plastics may lead to incorrect results because ‘lipids [από τα οποία αποτελείται κατά κύριο λόγο ο εγκέφαλος] give the same products as polyethylene [το κύριο πλαστικό που εντοπίστηκε]” The expert also adds that “plastic infection can occur almost anywhere. How can we be sure that the particles found are proof that plastic passes through the membranes of the human body and that it is not just a product of infection? “

How do microplastics get to our brain?

The authors of the study say that their study raises new questions about the possible effects of microplastics on human health and whether they can be removed from the human body.

“One of the biggest questions is the understanding of the mechanisms behind the accumulation of microplastics in the brain – that is, how and through which biological processes these particles enter our brain,” says Garcia.

Scientists are still not aware of whether our bodies can reject microplastics naturally from the brain and other organs. It is also unclear whether there are methods for the breakdown of microplastics in our body.

“Clearly we need to work harder to see if this is possible. We do not know whether microplastics or other particles can remain in our brain or if they are rejected by our bodies, ”Jones clarifies.

Curated by: George Passas