Tiny shards of plastic are increasingly infiltrating our brains, study says

Human brain samples collected at autopsy in early 2024 contained more tiny shards of plastic than samples collected eight years prior, according to a preprint posted online in May. The concentrations found in the brain tissue of normal individuals were 4,800 micrograms per gram, or 0.5% by weight. This is about 50% higher compared to autopsy brain samples from 2016. The brain samples contained 7% to 30% more tiny shards of plastic than samples from the cadavers’ kidneys and liver. The study suggests that the brain may be pulling in the smallest nanostructures of plastic, while larger particles go into the liver and kidneys. Further research is needed to understand the potential toxicological consequences of these particles and how they interact with cells. The main route of exposure to micro- and nanoplastics is through diet. Experts recommend minimizing exposure to avoidable plastics and taking steps to reduce plastic usage in daily life.