Matthew Campen, a toxicologist and professor of pharmacy at the University of New Mexico, said the results were shocking. The researchers found that 24 brain samples collected in early 2024 contained an average of about 5‰ of plastic by weight. “It’s concerning,” Kampen said. “There is much more plasticity in our brains than I thought or accepted.” The study describes the brain as “one of the most plastic-contaminated tissues to date.”
Preprint brain research led by Kampen also hints at a worrying link. For the study, researchers looked at brain samples from 12 people who died from dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. The weight of plastic in these brains was 10 times higher than in healthy samples. (The latest version of Campen’s study contains these findings, but was not posted online at the time of this article’s publication.)
“I don’t know how much more plastic we can cram into our brains without causing problems,” Kampen said.
The paper also found that the amount of microplastics in the 2024 brain samples was about 50% higher than the total amount in the 2016 samples, suggesting that concentrations of microplastics found in human brains are rising at a similar rate to those in the environment. Most of the organs came from the Office of Medical Investigations in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which investigates premature or violent deaths.
“You can draw a line — it increases over time. It’s consistent with what you see in the environment,” Kampen said.
Almroth of the University of Gothenburg, who was not involved in the paper, said many other papers have found microplastics in the brains of other animal species, so it is not surprising that the same microplastics are present in human brains.
When it comes to these dangerous particles, “the blood-brain barrier is not as protective as we thought,” Almroth said, referring to a series of membranes that prevent many chemicals and pathogens from entering the central nervous system.
Exploding Growth
Furthering concerns about microplastics accumulating in the human body, the Journal of Hazardous Materials published a study last month that found microplastics in all 16 bone marrow samples tested, the first of its kind. All samples contained polystyrene, used to make packaging for peanuts and electronics, and nearly all contained polyethylene, used in clear food packaging, detergent bottles and other common household products.
Another recent paper, which looked at 45 patients undergoing hip or knee surgery in Beijing, China, found microplastics in the membrane lining of every hip or knee joint examined.
A study published May 15 in the journal Toxicology found microplastics in all 23 human and 47 canine testicles studied, and found that human samples had nearly three times the concentration of microplastics as canines. Higher numbers of certain types of plastic particles, including polyethylene, the main component of plastic water bottles, were associated with lower testicle weights in dogs.
“The potential health effects are concerning, especially given the unknown long-term consequences of microplastics accumulating in sensitive tissues such as reproductive organs,” said Ranjith Ramasamy, a medical researcher and urologist at the University of Miami and the study’s lead author.
Meanwhile, a Chinese research team published a study in May showing small amounts of microplastics in the semen of all 40 participants. An Italian paper published a few months earlier reported similar results.
Now, a handful of studies have also found contamination in human placentas. A study in the May issue of the journal Toxicology reported that microplastics and nanoplastics were found in all 62 placental samples, albeit in a wide range of concentrations.
In Italy, researchers followed 312 patients who had their carotid arteries cleared of fatty deposits, or plaque. Nearly 60% of the patients had microplastics in their bodies, and these people fared worse than those without microplastics: they were 2.1 times more likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke, or die in the next 34 months.
The discovery of microplastics in the human brain has sparked widespread discussion, especially whether the content has reached 5‰. Here are the details about this discovery and its potential impact.
Research on microplastic content
Research background
In 2024, a research team from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) analyzed brain samples from 24 autopsies and found that the average microplastic content was about 5%, which was about 50% higher than the 2016 samples.
The discovery shows that microplastics are becoming more prevalent in the environment and have penetrated one of the body’s most important organs, the brain. This increase in pollution levels poses serious challenges to public health.
Research results
In human brain samples collected during autopsy in early 2024, the concentration of microplastics was 4806 micrograms per gram of brain tissue, which is close to 5‰. Among all 91 brain samples analyzed, the content of microplastics was 10-20 times higher than that of other organs.
The high concentration of microplastics in the brain is particularly striking compared with other organs, which may mean that the brain is particularly sensitive to the accumulation of microplastics. Further research is needed to explore the specific behavior and potential effects of these plastic particles in the brain.
Sources and impacts of microplastics
Source
Microplastics mainly enter the human body through dietary intake, respiratory intake, and skin absorption. They can originate from the breakdown of plastic waste, microplastic particles in industrial products, and spread through air and water. The diversity and wide range of sources of microplastics make them difficult to completely avoid. Understanding these sources can help develop more effective strategies to reduce exposure to microplastics.
Influence
Although there is currently no conclusive evidence that microplastics cause direct damage to the brain, they may carry harmful chemicals such as bisphenols, phthalates, etc., which may have potential health effects.
Harmful chemicals carried by microplastics may enter the brain through the blood-brain barrier, triggering oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, thereby increasing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
Recommendations for reducing microplastic intake
Drink water
Try to choose tap water and avoid bottled water, which may contain microplastics. Boiling can significantly remove up to 90% of microplastics in water. By changing drinking habits, the intake of microplastics can be effectively reduced, thereby reducing their potential risks to health.
Food
Reduce your intake of processed foods and choose natural foods that are not overly processed. Raw meat needs to be washed thoroughly before cooking and cooking needs to last long enough. Choosing natural foods and correct cooking methods not only reduce the intake of microplastics, but also improve the nutritional value and safety of the diet.
Living habits
Reduce your use of single-use plastics and choose reusable or biodegradable alternatives. Wear a mask in highly polluted environments to reduce inhalation of microplastics in the air. By changing your lifestyle habits, you can reduce your exposure to microplastics, thereby reducing their potential impact on human health.
Response from the scientific community
Expert opinion
Despite the current limited understanding of the health effects of microplastics, many scientists have called for further research to better understand the accumulation of microplastics in the human body and their potential effects. There is a broad consensus in the scientific community that, despite the lack of direct evidence, the potential health risks of microplastics cannot be ignored. Further research and international cooperation are key to addressing this issue.
The presence of microplastics and their high concentrations found in the human brain have aroused widespread concern. Although there is currently no conclusive evidence that microplastics cause direct damage to the brain, the harmful chemicals they carry may pass through the blood-brain barrier and increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. By reducing the intake of microplastics and changing lifestyle habits, their potential health effects can be effectively reduced. Future research needs to further explore the specific behavior and potential effects of microplastics in the human body.
How do microplastics enter the brain?
There are several main ways for microplastics to enter the brain:
Dietary intake: Microplastics enter the human body through the food chain, such as eating food and water contaminated by plastic packaging materials.
Respiratory ingestion: Microplastic particles can be transmitted through the air, such as microplastic particles produced by tire wear and ocean wave action that are inhaled.
Skin absorption: Microplastics enter the human body through skin contact, especially when using cosmetics and personal care products containing microplastics.
Nasal entry: The latest research has found that microplastics can enter the brain through the nasal cavity, especially through the olfactory nerve.
The possible effects of microplastics entering the brain include neurotoxicity and correlation with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and ALS29. Therefore, reducing the intake and exposure of microplastics is crucial to protecting brain health.
What are the other potential effects of microplastics on human health?
The impact of microplastics on human health is a complex and growing concern. In addition to the amount of microplastics in the brain, microplastics may enter the human body through a variety of pathways and have a variety of potential effects on health. The following is a detailed analysis of other potential effects of microplastics on human health:
Other potential effects of microplastics
Inflammation and allergic reactions: Microplastics may cause inflammatory and allergic reactions in the body, leading to cell damage.
Digestive system effects: Microplastics may affect the intestinal microbial community, thereby affecting digestion and absorption capacity.
Endocrine system interference: Microplastics may interfere with the human endocrine system, leading to abnormal hormone levels and affecting growth and development.
Respiratory system problems: Microplastics may be inhaled into the lungs, causing respiratory infections and inflammation.
Immune system function effects: Microplastics may affect the function of the immune system, making the human body more susceptible to disease.
Potential health risks of microplastics
Cardiovascular disease: Studies have shown that microplastics may be associated with cardiovascular disease.
Reproductive health issues: Microplastics may have a negative impact on germ cell development and embryo quality.
Neurotoxicity: Microplastics are toxic to neurodevelopment and may lead to learning and memory dysfunction.
Chronic disease association: Microplastics may be associated with the formation of a variety of chronic diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease.
Recommendations for reducing microplastic intake
Drinking water: Try to choose tap water and avoid drinking bottled water, as bottled water may contain microplastics.
Food: Reduce the intake of processed foods and choose natural foods that are not overly processed.
Lifestyle: Reduce the use of disposable plastic products and choose reusable or biodegradable alternatives.
By taking these measures, we can reduce the intake of microplastics and thus reduce their potential impact on health. However, research on the health effects of microplastics is still ongoing, and we need more scientific evidence to fully assess its risks.
Which countries or regions have taken specific measures to deal with microplastic pollution?
Microplastic pollution has become a global environmental problem, and many countries or regions have taken a series of measures to deal with it. Here are some specific examples:
China
Legislation and policies: China has formulated a series of policies and regulations to control plastic waste and microplastic pollution. For example, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment issued the “Opinions on Further Strengthening Plastic Pollution Control” and the “14th Five-Year Plan for Plastic Pollution Control Action Plan”.
Source control: It is recommended to ban the production and sale of personal care products containing plastic microbeads and strengthen the management of plastic microbeads.
Technological innovation: Promote plastic production and users to strengthen clean production and resource recycling, and reduce the emission of plastic waste and microplastics.
International level
Global Convention: China actively participates in global climate and environmental governance, promotes the new round of negotiations on plastic pollution by the United Nations Environment Program, and achieves pragmatic results.
Measures of other countries or regions
Reduce plastic use: Promote the use of degradable materials and reduce the use of disposable plastic products.
Strengthen plastic waste management: Increase the recycling rate of plastic waste and reduce the chance of plastic waste entering the ocean.
Clean beaches and oceans: Organize volunteers and communities to participate in beach and ocean cleanups.
Education and advocacy: Raise public awareness of the microplastics problem and encourage action.
Through these measures, countries and regions are working to reduce microplastic pollution and protect the environment and human health.
Sugarcane Pulp Tableware: A Sustainable Alternative to Plastic
Sugarcane pulp tableware is emerging as a powerful solution to the global plastic problem. Made from bagasse, the fibrous residue left after extracting juice from sugarcane, this eco-friendly option offers a renewable, biodegradable alternative to conventional plastic. Unlike plastics, which can take hundreds of years to decompose, sugarcane pulp breaks down naturally within a few months, reducing environmental waste.
One of the key advantages of sugarcane pulp tableware is its versatility. It can be molded into plates, bowls, cups, and takeaway containers, making it suitable for various food service needs. Additionally, it is microwaveable, leak-proof, and resistant to heat and oil, offering convenience without sacrificing performance. Importantly, it is free from harmful chemicals like BPA and PFAS, ensuring food safety and human health.
The production of sugarcane pulp tableware also supports sustainability. By using agricultural waste, manufacturers minimize resource consumption and carbon emissions. This aligns with global trends toward circular economies and responsible production. As consumers become more eco-conscious, businesses adopting sugarcane-based products can enhance their brand reputation and meet regulatory requirements.
In summary, sugarcane pulp tableware provides a practical, eco-friendly alternative to plastic, supporting both environmental and economic goals. Its growing popularity signals a significant shift toward greener packaging solutions worldwide.
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