The presence of microplastic particles in the human brain is increasing: A Study Report
Microplastic particles are growing in the human brain. The image was obtained by examining brain tissue collected during autopsies of several people earlier this year. The level of microscopic plastic particles in the brain is now significantly higher than it was eight years ago.
These data have been highlighted in a research report published online last May. The research report is still a PR-review and has not been published in any journal.
The lead author of the research report is Matthew Campen. He is Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of New Mexico, United States.
Matthew Campen said, ‘We found 4,800 micrograms (1 gram equals 1 million micrograms) of plastic particles per gram of brain tissue in a normal human aged 45 to 50 years.’
It is 0.5 percent of the total weight of the brain. The amount of plastic found in the brain in 2016 will increase by nearly 50 percent by 2024. This means that our brain today is 99.5 percent, the rest is plastic.
Phoebe Stapleton, an associate professor at Rutgers University, notes that the research report does not address the extent of brain damage caused by this plastic. He has no affiliation with this research report.
Phoebe Stapleton stated that it’s uncertain if these plastic particles are liquid or if they enter and leave the brain.
Whether these are found in neural tissue or cause disease is also not clear from the study. More research is needed to understand how these particles interact with brain cells and whether they cause toxicity.
Investigations show that people’s brains contained 7 to 30 times more plastic particles than their kidneys and livers during autopsies.
Professor Philip J. Landrigan of Boston College stated that research has identified small plastic particles in several human organs, such as the heart, arteries, lungs, and liver.
By 2024, plastic will be unavoidable for everyone. For example, no cell phone or computer can be found without plastic. However, exposure can be reduced in some cases, such as plastic bags and bottles.
How plastic enters the human body
Researchers studied the brain, kidney, and liver tissues of 92 individuals autopsied from 2016 to 2024.
Professor Matthew Campen stated that small amounts of plastic may be entering our brains, based on tissue observations. Their size is 100 to 200 nanometers (1 nanometer is 1 billionth of 1 meter). And large-sized plastics like 1 to 5 micrometers are entering the liver and kidneys.
Microplastics can range in size from 5 millimeters (the size of a pencil eraser) to 1 nanometer. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, human hair is about 80,000 nanometers wide.
Experts say that among all types of plastic, nano plastic is the most dangerous for the human body. Because these microscopic particles can also take place inside a cell.
“These nano plastics are somehow getting into our bodies and reaching our brains,” said Professor Matthew Campen. Plastics have a greater affinity for fats or lipids.
So, one theory is that nano plastics enter our bodies with the fats we consume through food. Then it goes to other organs, including the brain.
About 60 percent of the human brain is fat, which is much more than other organs. Essential fatty acids like omega 3 are very important for brain cells.
Since the human body cannot produce essential fatty acids on its own, they are obtained from external sources such as food.
Boston College professor Philip Landrigan said, ‘Some microplastics enter our bodies through the air. For example, when we drive on the road, the road surface friction with the tires of the car. In this, the plastic of the tire degrades and mixes in the air in the form of microplastics.
And if you live near a beach, microplastic particles in ocean water are also mixed with the air by currents. Therefore, apart from food, plastic enters our body through inhalation.’
Use of plastic should be reduced
To avoid micro and nano plastic we need to reduce the use of plastic. Professor Philip Landrigan said it was difficult to avoid putting food in plastic wrap.
However, food should be removed from the plastic wrap before cooking and before putting it in the microwave oven. Because, when the plastic is heated, the microplastic particles mix with the food.
The Natural Resources Defense Council has given some suggestions to reduce the use of plastic. They say that while bringing clothes from the laundry, care should be taken not to put them in polythene bags.
Coffee shops should carry metal or glass mugs with them to reduce the use of plastic mugs. Such containers should be kept in the office to reduce the use of plastic.
“When you go shopping, don’t take plastic bags with you,” says Landrigan. Instead, use cloth bags or reusable bags.
Avoid plastic water bottles if possible. Store food in glass containers. And we have to talk to the local people to ban plastic bags.
