Scientists Sound the Alarm: Microplastic Levels in Human Brains Are Rapidly Increasing

A recent study has uncovered a worrying trend: the amount of microscopic plastic particles in human brains is increasing at an alarming rate. Brain samples collected during autopsies in 2024 contained significantly more plastic fragments than those taken just eight years prior, reports NewsBox.

The study revealed that brain samples contained 7 to 30 times more microplastic particles compared to samples from the kidneys and liver. On average, the concentration of plastic fragments in the brains of healthy middle-aged individuals was 4800 micrograms per gram, or 0.48% of the brain tissue weight. According to one of the study’s authors, Professor Matthew Campen, this is equivalent to an entire plastic spoon, writes CNN.

“Compared to brain samples obtained during autopsies in 2016, this is approximately 50% higher,” noted Professor Campen. This suggests that our brains today are 99.5% brain matter, with the remaining portion being plastic.

Researchers also found that in the brains of 12 individuals with dementia, there were 3 to 5 times more plastic fragments than in the brains of healthy people. These particles, invisible to the naked eye, were discovered in the walls of arteries and veins, as well as in immune cells in the brain.

“We want to be very cautious in interpreting these findings, as the higher microplastic level is likely due to the disease (dementia), and we currently do not suspect microplastics to be a cause of this disease,” Campen emphasizes.

While a direct link between the accumulation of microplastics and diseases has yet to be proven, scientists are raising the alarm. The production, pollution, and impact of plastic on humans are growing at a rapid pace. According to Dr. Philip Landrigan, more than half of all plastic ever produced was created after 2002.

Microplastic particles infiltrate specific cells and tissues of key organs, potentially disrupting cellular processes and releasing harmful chemicals, including endocrine disruptors such as bisphenols and phthalates.

“We have quite compelling reasons to believe that microplastics and nanoplastics are harmful, although we are still far from understanding the full extent of this harm,” notes Landrigan.

Scientists emphasize the need for further research to understand the interaction of plastic particles with cells and their potential toxicological consequences. It is crucial to determine whether organs, including the brain, can eliminate microplastics from the body.

At the same time, the study results raise serious concerns and highlight the necessity to implement protective measures to reduce plastic pollution in the environment.