A recent study indicates that microplastics can accumulate at higher levels in the human brain than in the kidneys and liver. The concentrations of microplastics in postmortem samples from 2024 turned out to be higher than in samples from 2016. Although the implications for human health are still unclear, these findings highlight a consequence of the increasing global concentrations of environmental plastics.
The study was conducted by Matthew Campen and his health sciences team from the University of New Mexico, United States. Using innovative techniques, they analyzed the distribution of micro and nanoparticles of plastic in liver, kidney, and brain tissue samples from individuals who underwent autopsies in 2016 and 2024.
According to Campen, the concentrations of plastic in the brain appeared to be higher than in the liver or kidneys, and greater than previous reports on other parts of the body. The researcher emphasizes the urgency of paying attention to these findings. In brain samples taken in 2024, significantly higher concentrations of plastic particles were found compared to samples from 2016.
Scientists also noted a higher concentration of micro and nanoplastic particles in the brains of individuals diagnosed with dementia compared to those without the diagnosis, although they point out that a direct causal relationship between plastic particles and health effects cannot be established.
To have a more complete picture, the researchers call for more long-term studies with samples from different populations to better understand the health implications of the accumulation of microplastics in human tissues, primarily in the brain. Therefore, a greater understanding of the routes of exposure, absorption, and elimination of microplastics is required.
These results underscore the importance of further investigating the possible health consequences of the presence of plastics in human tissues, especially in the brain. Various scientific studies in recent years have addressed the presence of microplastics in the human body, demonstrating the relevance of continuing to investigate this phenomenon for the sake of public health.