A recent study claims that microscopic plastic particles have been found for the first time in human brains. Researchers from Arizona State University carried out the investigation, which was then written up in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The Raman microspectroscopy method was used to examine brain samples taken from the dead by the study team. The findings showed that plastic particles ranging in size from 1 to 6 micrometres, were present in every sample.
The particles according to the researchers entered the brain through the water we drank, the food we ate, and the air we breathe. With millions of tonnes of plastic polluting the environment, plastic pollution has recently become a major environmental concern. This garbage finds up in our rivers, oceans, and soil, where it can degrade into microplastics, which are smaller plastic particles.
Today, microplastics are discovered everywhere in the world, including in the Arctic and on isolated islands. They can enter the human body through food, drink, and air and have been discovered in species ranging from plankton to whales.
Although the consequences of microplastics on human health are not entirely understood, there is rising worry that they might be detrimental. Microplastics can harm organs, create inflammation, and interfere with hormones, according to studies.
The finding of plastic particles in the brain is especially alarming since it raises the possibility that microplastics can get across the blood-brain barrier. Although this barrier is intended to shield the brain from dangerous substances, microplastics might not be able to pass through it.
The authors of the study point out that additional investigation is necessary to fully grasp the ramifications of their findings. Additionally, they demand the creation of sustainable plastic substitutes as well as improved waste management and enhanced recycling as ways to lessen plastic pollution.
In conclusion, the discovery of plastic fragments in the human brain emphasises the critical importance of solving the plastic pollution issue as soon as possible. Although the long-term health impacts of microplastics on people are still unknown, it is obvious that something must be done to prevent further harm to both our environment and ourselves.