Tiny plastic particles are building up in human tissues at increasing levels, particularly in the brain and liver, a new study published in Nature Medicine has revealed.
The study, led by Matthew Campen of the University of New Mexico, found significantly higher concentrations of micro and nano plastics in tissue samples from deceased individuals in 2024 compared to those studied in 2016. The contamination was most severe in the brain, where plastic levels were up to 30 times higher than in organs like the liver and kidneys.
While previous research has detected microplastics in the lungs, intestines, and placenta, traditional microscopy methods often miss particles smaller than five micrometers. Campen’s team used advanced infrared and electron microscopy to detect these nano plastics with greater accuracy.
The researchers analysed 24 tissue samples from 2024 and compared them to 28 samples from 2016. They found that while plastic levels in the kidneys remained largely unchanged, the liver and brain saw significant increases. The study also highlighted alarming plastic concentrations in individuals with dementia, with some brain samples containing between 12,000 and 48,000 micrograms of plastic per gram of tissue.
Polyethylene, commonly found in plastic bottles and packaging, was identified as the most prevalent type of plastic, accounting for 40% to 65% of the plastic in the liver and kidneys and up to 75% in the brain.
Although the findings suggest a link between plastic exposure and brain health, researchers caution that the study does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship. They stress the need for larger, long-term studies to further investigate the impact of plastic accumulation, particularly on neurological health.
Credit: NAN (Text Excluding Headline)
