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It does not mean there is one spoonful of nanoplastics, but rather as much plastic that can form an entire spoon inside the head. (Photo: Freepik)
Lately, there has been a lot of alarming chatter surrounding the presence of nanoplastics and microplastics in the body, and their devastating health impact. Scientists seem to have rung the bells again to warn humanity of the perils of plastics the body. According to a recent study, researchers have found the presence of a spoon-sized amount of microplastics in the human brain. It does not mean there is one spoonful of nanoplastics, but rather as much plastic that can form an entire spoon inside the head! The data was published in a new study in 'Nature'. Researchers analysed cadaver brains and came to the conclusion that there has been an increase in microplastics than what was observed almost eight years ago. According to a CNN report, the study's co-lead author Matthew Campen, professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque said that the cadaver brain samples had 'seven to 30 times' more bioaccumulation of 'tiny shards' of plastic than the kidneys and the liver.
"The concentrations we saw in the brain tissue of normal individuals, who had an average age of around 45 or 50 years old, were 4,800 micrograms per gram, or 0.48 per cent by weight," Campen was quoted as saying in the report. He added that it is the equivalent of one whole plastic spoon of standard size. "Compared to autopsy brain samples from 2016, that's about 50 per cent higher. That would mean our brains today are 99.5 per cent brain and the rest is plastic," he reportedly mentioned.
Interestingly, as compared to the brains of healthy people, scientists also found an additional three-to-five times of 'shard-like plastic fragments' inside the brains of 12 individuals who were diagnosed with dementia before their demise. Smaller in size than what the eyes can see, the shards appeared to have been 'concentrated' in the walls of the brain arteries and the veins. They were also found in the brain's immune cells.
Campen called it 'a little bit alarming'. "...but remember that dementia is a disease where the blood brain barrier and clearance mechanisms are impaired," he added.
While this issue of plastic infiltration in the body has long been discussed, more urgent measures need to be taken. Last year, one Sedat G ndo du -- who studies microplastics at Cukurova University in Turkey -- told The Guardian that it is "now imperative to declare a global emergency" to deal with the increasing rate of plastic pollution.
Campen had also warned back then: "There's much more plastic in our brains than I ever would have imagined or been comfortable with..."
Human beings are understood to get exposed to nanoplastics through food, water, air, personal care products, clothing, and plastic packaging, which can have negative health effects. For instance, nanoplastics can contaminate food and water, particularly bottled water. They can also be released into the air and inhaled by humans. Some personal care products, such as face wash and toothpaste, contain microbeads that can be washed down the drain, eventually entering the environment. Microfibres from clothing and textiles can also be released into the environment during the washing process. Additionally, as mentioned earlier, nanoplastic particles can leach from plastic packaging -- plastic bags and bottles -- and enter your food and water.