Study: Microplastics Found in Brain

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Facts

  • New research from scientists based in Brazil and published in the journal JAMA Network Open has found microplastics in the brain tissue of deceased people.[1]
  • The study analyzed the corpses of 12 men and three women, all of whom died between the ages of 33 and 100. They found eight of them contained microplastics — 5.5-26.4 micrometers (1/25,000th of an inch) in size — in the brain's olfactory bulb, the part that processes smell.[2][1][3]
  • However, they found a total of 16 plastic fibers, including ones smaller than the diameter of a red blood cell. The most common plastic types found were polypropylene, polyamide, nylon, and polyethylene vinyl acetate.[1]
  • The most common type, Polypropylene, is generally considered safe for humans, although it's also been found to further advance breast cancer.[3]
  • According to the study's lead author, 'Once present in this structure, there can be translocation to other regions of the brain,' depending on 'several factors' including 'the shape of the particle, whether it is a fiber or a fragment, its size, and the body’s defense mechanisms.'[3]
  • This follows research released in May that found the brain could potentially hold up to 20 times more microplastic than other organs and account for 0.5% of brain mass. Microplastics have been found in almost every organ.[2]

Sources: [1]NBC, [2]Forbes and [3]CNN.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Guardian. As more and more research is being conducted, it's become quite clear that microplastics have permeated everything and everyone. However, as plastic remains an important part of our daily lives, and research has yet to prove exactly how dangerous it actually is to the human body, we should be careful not to overreact with fear.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Common Dreams. People have every right to know exactly how much plastic they're consuming and how it's affecting their bodies — from their bloodstream to their reproductive organs. Unfortunately, health agencies like the US Food and Drug Administration try to downplay these risks, leading to the public ignoring this extremely important issue. Government regulators must take this more seriously before it's too late.