A recent study has found that microplastics are accumulating in the human brain at much higher levels than in other organs, with concentrations rising sharply in the past decade. Researchers say the presence of plastic particles in the brain could have unknown health consequences.
The study, published in Nature Medicine, examined brain samples from individuals who passed away in 2016 and 2024. The results revealed a 50% increase in microplastic levels, regardless of the person’s age or cause of death. Some brain samples contained microplastics weighing as much as a plastic spoon.
Researchers also observed that dementia patients had three to five times more microplastics in their brains than those without cognitive impairments. While the study does not confirm that microplastics cause neurological conditions, scientists say the link requires further investigation.
Microplastics, which result from the breakdown of common plastics used in food packaging, synthetic clothing, and industrial materials, have already been found in human blood and vital organs. Their ability to pass through the blood-brain barrier suggests they may be affecting the nervous system.
Polyethylene, commonly found in plastic containers and bags, was the most frequently detected type of plastic in the brain tissue samples. Researchers also noted that the plastic fragments in the brain were mostly sharp and jagged, which could make them more likely to interact with neural tissue.
As plastic pollution continues to rise, scientists are calling for urgent studies into how microplastics may impact brain function and human health in the long term.
