'A much greater effort [is needed]''

A new study showed that microplastic contamination in human brain has increased dramatically since 1997 and has raised urgent questions about the effects of plastic pollution on our health and communities, according to an article recently published in the Guardian.

What happens?

Scientists from the University of New Mexico discovered in human brain tissue in relation to microplastics, with the concentrations increasing by 50% in the past eight years. The research published in Nature Medicine analyzed brain samples from postmortal studies between 1997 and 2024 and also found plastic particles in liver and kidney samples.

The most frequently found plastic was polyethylene, which was often used in food packaging and plastic bags and made 75% of the total discovered plastic.

Why are microplastic values ​​important?

Microplastics, tiny plastic particles that are less than five millimeters, now contaminate practically every part of the human body – including blood, breast milk and bone marrow. While researchers are still working on understanding the full effects on health, studies have already associated microplastic exposure with serious diseases such as strokes and heart attacks.

The research team also found that the microplastic values ​​in brain samples of people with dementia were six times higher, according to the Guardian, although scientists find that this could be more of a result than a cause of the disease.

“In view of the exponentially increasing presence of micro- and nanoplasty around the environment, this data forces much greater efforts to understand whether they play a role in neurological diseases or other effects on human health,” said the researchers of the study Pro Guardian.

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What is done with increasing microplastic values?

Professor Tamara Galloway from the University of Exeter found that the rise of microplastics in the brain reflects the increase in production and daily use of plastics around the world.

“It indicates that if we reduce environmental contamination with microplastics, the exposure of humans would also take away, which offers strong incentive to concentrate on innovations that reduce the exposure,” said Galloway in the article.

The microplastic pollution has been well documented in recent years, with an increasing level of contamination in the human body and the environment. Scientists are working on new, innovative opportunities to transform microplastic waste into new materials, and consumers can also take several practical steps to reduce their exposure and plastic production in general.

For example, avoid plastic containers for plastic and select glass, stainless steel or ceramic containers for storage and warm up. Filter drinking water with a system certified to remove microplastics from tap water. Decide on clothing made of natural fibers (such as cotton or wool) because synthetic substances can hand over microplastic fibers.

Also try to reduce a usage plastic and use reusable bags, bottles and containers if possible.

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