According to a recent preprint study posted online in May, brain samples collected during autopsies in 2024 contained significantly more microplastic shards compared to samples obtained eight years prior. The lead author of the study, Matthew Campen, a regents' professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of New Mexico, revealed that the concentrations of plastic in the brain tissue of normal individuals were 50% higher than those observed in 2016.

The study examined brain, kidney, and liver tissues from 92 individuals who underwent forensic autopsies in both 2016 and 2024. The brain samples showed 7% to 30% more plastic shards than those found in the kidneys and liver. Polyethylene, a non-biodegradable plastic used in bags, films, and bottles, was the predominant type of plastic detected in the brain.

While the increase in plastic exposure is evident, it is still uncertain whether these particles have any detrimental effects on brain health. Phoebe Stapleton, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Rutgers University, emphasized the need for further research to understand how the particles interact with brain cells and determine potential toxicological consequences.

One concerning discovery in the study was the presence of nanoplastics in the brain tissue. Nanoplastics are minuscule in size and have the ability to enter individual cells, potentially leading to disruptions in cellular processes. Campen theorized that plastics might be carried into the brain through the consumption of lipid-rich foods, considering the brain's high lipid content.

The report also highlighted that diet plays a major role in micro- and nanoplastic exposure. Additionally, some plastics can become airborne, such as when tire abrasion on highways or wave action in coastal areas disperses microplastic particles into the air. Inhalation, therefore, could be another significant route of exposure.

Dr. Philip Landrigan, director of the Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good at Boston College, advised individuals to minimize exposure to avoidable plastics while acknowledging that it is impossible to live without plastic entirely. Landrigan further emphasized the need for protective action due to the potential harm caused by microplastic particles and the thousands of chemicals they carry, including endocrine-disrupting substances.

The exact implications of these plastic shards in the brain are still unclear, as further research is needed. However, the study serves as a reminder of the pervasive nature of plastic pollution and the importance of reducing plastic consumption and exposure to protect both human health and the environment.

As the science surrounding the effects of plastic on the human body continues to evolve, initiatives to minimize plastic use and find sustainable alternatives become increasingly crucial for safeguarding our well-being.