After finding microplastics in the air and water, scientists have now discovered traces of it in the human brain.
From plastic water bottles to polyester t-shirts, microplastics can be found everywhere. The more their presence multiplies, the more likely they are to infiltrate into the human body. That is the case with one recent study conducted in Brazil, where researchers found microplastics in the brain.
The study, posted in the JAMA Network Journal, was conducted on fifteen different human cadavers and all of them were found to have microplastics in the olfactory bulb. These nerve tissues can be found right above your nasal cavity and play a vital role in our sense of smell. Scientists were particularly alarmed as, given the close proximity, the microplastics have a direct pathway to other portions of the brain.
What are microplastics and where do they come from?
Microplastics can be defined as plastic pieces that are smaller than five millimeters in size, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They have become a growing issue amidst heavy plastic pollution and breakdown in recent years. Not only do they create massive environmental problems for wildlife, but they also have a negative impact on human health.
One reason for this abundance is the growing presence of plastic in most everyday products, such as food packaging, clothing, and cosmetic products. In fact, data shows that plastic production in 2022 came out to 400.3 million metric tons. A major part of this can also be traced back to single-use plastics.
What impact do microplastics have on our body?
Given their microscopic size, the particles are easily ingestible making them a silent hazard. This also enables them to easily penetrate into small areas of our body like our blood stream. In fact, in previous studies, scientists have already found many examples of microplastics infiltrating different parts of the body including but not limited to the heart, liver, kidneys and more.
While the full impact of microplastics in humans is still unknown, many of these particles are often contaminated with toxic chemicals, which when ingested can be harmful to human health.
How can you safeguard from microplastics?
One of the most direct methods to remove the risk of microplastics is to reduce your interaction with plastic products, especially for food-related products like cookware or utensils. For instance, opting out of single-plastic use and utilizing renewable products. Even if you continue to utilize plastic products, avoid using them in certain instances like microwaving.