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Plastic is present in our clothes, cars, mobile phones, water bottles and food containers. But recent research has raised concerns about the impact of tiny pieces of plastic on our health.
A Study A study from the United States has found microplastics in the human brain for the first time. The study, which has not yet been independently verified by other scientists, has been described in the media as Scary, shocking And Dangerous,
But what exactly are microplastics? What do they mean for our health? Should we be worried?
What are microplastics? Can you see them?
We often think of plastic objects as indestructible. But plastic breaks down in many ways tiny particlesDefinitions vary but generally microplastics are smaller than five millimetres.
This makes some parts too small to be seen with the naked eye. Therefore, many of the photos used by the media to illustrate articles about microplastics are misleading, as some show very large, clearly visible pieces.
Microplastics have been reported from a number of sources. drinking water And Everyday food itemsThis means that we are constantly exposed to them in our diet.
Such widespread, chronic (long-term) exposure makes it a serious concern for human health. Although research examining the potential risks microplastics pose to our health is limited, is increasing,
What do you think about this latest study?
Study The concentrations of microplastics were measured in 51 samples from men and women collected during routine autopsies in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The samples were taken from the liver, kidney and brain.
These tiny particles are difficult to study because of their size, even with high-powered microscopes. So instead of trying to see them, researchers are starting to use sophisticated instruments that identify the chemical composition of microplastics in a sample. That’s the technique used in this study.
The researchers were surprised to find that brain samples contained 30 times more microplastics than those in the liver and kidneys.
They speculated that this may be due to higher blood flow to the brain (carrying plastic particles with it). Alternatively, the liver and kidneys may be better suited to dealing with foreign toxins and particles. We also know that the brain does not undergo the same amount of cellular renewal as other organs in the body, so plastic can remain here.
The researchers also found that the amount of plastic in brain samples increased by about 50% between 2016 and 2024. This may reflect an increase in environmental plastic pollution and rising plastic content. Human exposure,
Most of the microplastics found in this study were made of polyethylene. commonly produced Plastic is the most widely used material in the world and is used in many everyday products, such as bottle caps and plastic bags.
This is the first time microplastics have been found in the human brain, which is significant. However, this study is a “pre-print,” so other independent microplastic researchers have not yet reviewed or confirmed the study.
How do microplastics get into the brain?
Microplastics usually enter the body through contaminated food and water. This can cause digestive problems. Gut microbiome (the community of microorganisms in your gut) and causes inflammation. This has effects throughout the body through the immune system and a complex, two-way communication system between the gut and the brain. This is called Gut-brain axis It is related to many aspects of health and disease.
I might as well breathe in Microplastics present in the air. Once these particles reach the gut or lungs, they pass into the bloodstream and then spread throughout the body various organs,
Studies have shown that microplastics have been found in the human body. feces, Joint, liver, Reproductive organs, Blood, Ships And Heart,
Microplastics also reach the brain. Wild Fish. In Study on ratsIngested microplastics are absorbed from the gut into the blood and can enter the brain, accumulating in other organs. Organ along the way.
Microplastics have to pass through the brain surface to reach brain tissue. blood brain barrierIt is a complex layer of cells, which prevents substances present in the blood from entering the brain.
While this is worrying, it is not surprising, as microplastics have to cross the same cellular barriers to enter the cell. Urine, Testes And placentaWhere they have already been found in humans.
Is this a health concern?
We don’t yet know the effects of microplastics on the human brain. Some laboratory experiments suggest that microplastics increase in the brain swelling of the brain And cell damageChange gene expression and changes brain structure,
Apart from the effects of microplastic particles themselves, microplastics can also pose a threat if they carry some other harmful substances with them. Environmental toxins Or Bacteria In and around the body.
various plastic chemicals Microplastics can also enter the body. These include the well-known Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals Which is known as BPA.
But studying microplastics and their effects is difficult. Besides their small size, there are many different types of plastic in the environment. 13,000 different chemicals Many new problems have been identified in plastic products, and more are being discovered every year.
Microplastics are also destroyed by the environment and digestive processes, and are difficult to reproduce in the laboratory.
The goal of our research is to understand how these factors change the behaviour of microplastics in the body. We plan to investigate whether improving the integrity of the gut barrier through diet or probiotics can prevent microplastics from passing from the gut into the bloodstream. This could effectively prevent the particles from moving around the body and accumulating in organs.
How do I reduce my risk?
Microplastics are widespread in the environment, and exposure to them is difficult to avoid. I am starting to understand How microplastics can affect our health.
Until we have more scientific evidence, the best thing we can do is to stay informed about our exposure to plastic where we can and Generate less plastic wasteTherefore less amount of waste reaches the environment.
The easiest way to start is to avoid foods and drinks packaged in single-use plastics or reheated foods and drinks in plastic containers. We can also reduce our exposure to synthetic fibers in our home and clothing.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Original article,
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