New Study: Human Brain May Contain the Equivalent of a Spoon's Weight in Microplastics

I came across this recent study published in Nature earlier this week that I wanted to share!
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03453-1

TLDR? Here are my main takeaways:

1. Microplastics in Human Organs: The study confirms the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) in human kidney, liver, and brain tissues, with polyethylene (PE) being the predominant polymer. Brain tissue exhibits the highest MNP concentrations, with a median of 4,917 µg/g in 2024, compared to 433 µg/g in the liver and 404 µg/g in the kidney.
2. Rising MNP Accumulation Over Time: The concentration of MNPs in human tissues has significantly increased between 2016 and 2024 (P = 0.01). Brain MNP levels rose by approximately 50% over this period, suggesting increasing environmental exposure.
3. Association with Dementia: Individuals with dementia had significantly higher MNP concentrations in the brain (median = 26,076 µg/g, P < 0.0001) compared to those without dementia. Plastic particles were notably found in cerebrovascular walls and immune cells, raising concerns about potential neurological impacts.

Source: Nihart, A.J., Garcia, M.A., El Hayek, E. et al. Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains. Nat Med (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-03453-1