A new study published in JAMA Network Open has revealed the presence of microplastics, defined as particles smaller than 5mm, in vital human organs, including the brain. The pollutants are found in the olfactory bulb of the brain that processes smell, indicating a likely nasal entry point. Microplastics have already been discovered in nearly every organ in the human body.
This study of 15 cadavers by researchers from Brazil found microplastics in the brain tissue in 8 of them, adding to evidence that microplastics are already pervasive in human bodies. Also the brains of people who had died with dementia had 10 times more plastic particles than healthy brains. These results indicate that such plastic particles could contribute to neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's.
“Previous studies in humans and animals have shown that air pollution reaches the brain, and that particles have been found in the olfactory bulb, which is why we think the olfactory bulb is probably one of the first points for microplastics to reach the brain,” said lead study author Dr. Thais Mauad, an associate professor of pathology at the University of São Paulo Medical School in Brazil.
This latest discovery serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the issue of plastic pollution and its impact on human health. The medical community must remain vigilant and continue to investigate the potential risks associated with microplastic exposure, particularly in relation to neurological diseases.
