A new study reveals that brain tissue contains significantly higher levels of microplastics compared to other organs like the liver and kidneys. The research, which analyzed samples from 47 cadavers, found an average of 4,800 micrograms of microplastics per gram of brain tissue. While the study doesn't establish a direct link between microplastics and health issues, it raises concerns about the potential impact of plastic pollution on human health.
Brain samples contained 10 times more microplastics than other organs.The study looked at brain samples collected in 2024, finding a 50% increase in microplastics compared to samples collected back in 2016.
Dr. Stephanie Widmer, a board-certified medical toxicologist and emergency medicine physician, who was not involved in the study, told ABC News that the study's findings are not yet cause for major concern. It is also not yet known what specific health risk this amount of microplastics inside a person's blood stream could potentially have, the study says.
Widmer said the study does not prove that microplastics cause diseases, nor does it explain how they enter the brain.
MICROPLASTICS BRAIN HEALTH PLASTIC POLLUTION ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH HUMAN TISSUE
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