Scientists have found microplastics in the tissues of a healthy brain

Microscopic fragments of plastic can cross the blood-brain barrier, a highly selective filter in the body designed to protect the nervous system from toxins and pathogens. A team of Chinese researchers conducted a comprehensive analysis of 191 brain tissue samples using high-resolution laser-induced direct-reading infrared spectroscopy (LDIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The sample included 156 samples obtained from 113 patients during tumor surgeries and 35 samples of healthy tissue from five postmortem donors.

The analysis results showed that plastic particles were present in 99.4% of the affected tissue samples and in 100% of the healthy tissue samples. Nanoplastics, which are smaller in size, were found to be significantly more common than microplastics. The scientists identified the main types of polymers, which included polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene, polyamide, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These substances can enter the body through the respiratory system, food, and skin contact.

The distribution of particles in the tissues was uneven. In healthy brain and spinal cord samples, the median concentration was 50.3 micrograms per gram of tissue. In tissues affected by tumors, this value was significantly higher, reaching a peak of 129 micrograms per gram. The researchers suggest that the increased plastic content in tumorous areas may be related to the weakening of the barrier’s protective functions in the development of pathology. Additionally, the presence of particles in the air of operating rooms was observed, indicating the risk of additional exposure during medical procedures.

The paper pays special attention to the relationship between plastic and cancer. Data analysis has shown that a large surface area of microplastics correlates with accelerated tumor cell division. While there is currently no evidence that microplastics directly cause cancer, their role in the progression of the disease requires further investigation. The quantitative data also refutes some unfounded claims by government agencies about the critical levels of plastic in the body, revealing realistic but concerning levels of contamination.

The problem of polymer accumulation in vital organs requires coordinated action at the level of manufacturers and government regulators. The results of this study can serve as a scientific basis for revising environmental standards and developing measures to reduce the impact of microplastics on public health.