“ALARMING” levels of tiny microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs), linked to dementia, are being found in human brain tissue, a new study has warned.
The brain contains higher concentrations of plastic particles than other organs – with elevated levels in dementia patients, say scientists.
The brain has been found to contain higher concentrations of plastic particles than any other organs[/caption]
Bottled water alone can expose people to nearly as many microplastic particles annually as all ingested and inhaled sources combined, said Dr Brandon Luu[/caption]
MNP levels are three to five times higher in people diagnosed with dementia, according to the research.
And, more concerning still, brain tissues showed seven to 30 times higher concentrations of MNPs compared to other organs such as the liver or kidney.
The study of microplastic accumulation in human tissue, published in the journal Brain Medicine, provides critical insights into potential health implications and ways of preventing the worrying problem.
Lead author Dr. Nicholas Fabiano, from the University of Ottawa in Canada, said: “The dramatic increase in brain microplastic concentrations over just eight years, from 2016 to 2024, is particularly alarming.
“This rise mirrors the exponential increase we’re seeing in environmental microplastic levels.”
He says of particular concern are particles smaller than 200 nanometres, predominantly composed of polyethylene, which show notable deposition in cerebrovascular walls and immune cells.
The size allows them to potentially cross the blood-brain barrier, say scientists, raising questions about their role in neurological conditions.
The review highlights practical strategies for reducing exposure, noting that switching from bottled to filtered tap water alone could reduce microplastic intake from 90,000 to 4,000 particles per year.
Dr Brandon Luu, an internal medicine resident at the University of Toronto, said: “Bottled water alone can expose people to nearly as many microplastic particles annually as all ingested and inhaled sources combined.
“Switching to tap water could reduce this exposure by almost 90 per cent, making it one of the simplest ways to cut down on microplastic intake.”
He said other “significant” sources include plastic tea bags, which can release millions of micro and nano-sized particles per brewing session.
Dr Luu says how we heat and store food also matters.
He added: “Heating food in plastic containers – especially in the microwave – can release substantial amounts of microplastics and nanoplastics.
“Avoiding plastic food storage and using glass or stainless steel alternatives is a small but meaningful step in limiting exposure.
“While these changes make sense, we still need research to confirm whether lowering intake leads to reduced accumulation in human tissues.”
The research team also discovered evidence that sweating might help remove certain plastic-derived compounds from the body.
But Dr David Puder, host of the Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Podcast, said: “We need more research to wrap our heads around microplastics – rather than wrapping our brains in them – since this could be one of the biggest environmental storms most people never saw coming.”
The study calls for urgent research priorities, including establishing clear exposure limits and assessing long-term health consequences of microplastic accumulation.
The research team emphasised the need for large-scale human studies to determine the relationship between microplastic exposure and chronic health issues.
“Significant” sources of microplastics include plastic tea bags[/caption]
What are microplastics and why are they a worry?
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than five millimetres in diameter.
They come from a variety of sources in our everyday life, from larger pieces of plastic debris, such as from the degradation of bottles, to the tiny beads in personal care products like toothpaste and exfoliants, and synthetic fibres from textiles like polyester and nylon.
We can either ingest them, for example in food and water contaminated with them, or inhale them from the air.
There is growing concern about the potential health impacts of microplastics on both the environment and human health.
When ingested or inhaled, microplastics can cause physical and chemical damage to living organisms.
Studies have shown that they may be involved in inflammation in the body by leading to the release of proteins called inflammatory cytokines.
While these studies are typically small and in animals or cells, inflammation is linked to a range of chronic diseases, including heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and cancer.
Cellular damage has been a key focus of studies on microplastics.
The tiny pieces of plastic have been shown to cause cell death, cause damage via oxidative stress, and interfere with hormone function.
There is also evidence to suggest that microplastics can cause genotoxic effects, meaning they can damage genetic material within cells – raising fears they can contribute to cancer.
The evidence is still evolving for these tiny particles that are barely visible to the naked eye.
