Alarming: 30x More Plastic Found in Brains Than in Other Organs 

Alarming: 30x More Plastic Found in Brains Than in Other Organs 
Alarming: 30x More Plastic Found in Brains Than in Other Organs 

United States: The amount of microplastics found in brain samples obtained last year significantly surpasses the findings from nearly a decade previous, which indicates that these tiny synthetic particles progressively build up within vital organs over time. 

The research team led by health scientist Alexander Nihart at the University of New Mexico discovered higher levels of problematic petrochemical residues in brain specimens than in kidney and liver specimens. 

More about the news 

Global plastic production since 1950 reached 9 billion metric tons, which went into making single-use packaging and food containers, toys for children, garments, and lawn furniture. 

The original material broke up into tiny pieces, which transformed into dust that has spread globally. 

The breakdown of plastic materials has contaminated every location that scientists have investigated, from ancient sites to human excrements and underwater ocean depths. 

Alarming: 30x More Plastic Found in Brains Than in Other Organs. Credit | Shutterstock
Alarming: 30x More Plastic Found in Brains Than in Other Organs. Credit | Shutterstock

According to Nihart and team, “Environmental concentrations of anthropogenic microplastic and nanoplastic, polymer-based particulates ranging from 500 µm in diameter down to 1 nm, have increased exponentially over the past half century,” sciencealert.com reported. 

Proof exists that the long-term consequences of having plastic particles embedded inside the body tissues deserve caution because their effects on humans remain unstudied. 

Evidence reveals that when tiny plastic particles appear in placenta tissue, it may trigger premature birth. 

What more are the experts stating? 

Scientific evidence pointed out that these plastic particles cause blood vessel blockage in mice brain tissue. 

Alarming: 30x More Plastic Found in Brains Than in Other Organs 
Alarming: 30x More Plastic Found in Brains Than in Other Organs 

Science has identified more than a million deaths linked to common plastic additives exposure. 

Nihart and his colleagues examined tissue samples extracted from 52 human bodies that experienced autopsy procedures between 2016 and 2024. 

Scientists discovered plastic particles present in every single one of their experimental samples. The brain tissue samples contained 30 times more plastic than samples from kidneys or livers. 

This is surprising. The processes of waste filtration operated by the liver and kidneys potentially generate higher contact between these organs and circulating particles. 

The brain-blood barrier functions as added protection against contaminants through its preventive role against material movement.