Microplastics found in nose tissue at base of brain, study says | CNN

Mon Sep 16 15:08:05 UTC 2024: ## Microplastics Found in Human Brains: Study Raises Concerns

**Berlin, Germany** – A new study published in JAMA Network Open has found microplastics in the olfactory bulbs of human cadavers, raising concerns about the potential impact of plastic pollution on human health. The study, conducted by researchers at the Free University of Berlin, analyzed tissue from 15 cadavers and found microplastics in eight of them.

The microplastics, ranging in size from 5.5 to 26.4 micrometers, were discovered in the olfactory bulb, the part of the brain responsible for detecting odors. Lead author Luís Fernando Amato-Lourenço explained that these particles could potentially translocate to other regions of the brain, depending on their size and shape.

“Once present in this structure, there can be translocation to other regions of the brain,” said Amato-Lourenço. “This is a really interesting study,” added Phoebe Stapleton, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Rutgers University. “I’m not really surprised… I really do think that plastics are going to be in every place in the body that we look.”

While polypropylene, the predominant plastic found in the olfactory bulbs, is generally considered safe for human use, a recent study suggested that microplastics made of polypropylene could exacerbate the advance of breast cancer. This finding, along with the presence of microplastics in human brain tissue, highlights the growing concern over the potential health risks associated with plastic pollution.

The study authors emphasized the need for further research to understand the source of exposure and the long-term health implications of microplastics in the brain. While the study didn’t investigate the impact on brain function, the possibility of translocation to other regions of the brain raises significant questions about the potential consequences for overall health.

The study provides further evidence of the pervasive nature of plastic pollution and its potential impact on human health. Experts recommend taking steps to reduce exposure to plastics, including using reusable containers, avoiding microwaving food in plastic, and reducing the use of disposable plastics.

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