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  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

More good news. 

 

https://hsc.unm.edu/news/2024/04/microplastics-in-organs.html

Microplastics Make Their Way from the Gut to Other Organs, UNM Researchers Find

In a recent paper published in the journal  Environmental Health Perspectives, University of New Mexico researchers found that those tiny particles – microplastics – are having a significant impact on our digestive pathways, making their way from the gut and into the tissues of the kidney, liver and brain.

“Over the past few decades, microplastics have been found in the ocean, in animals and plants, in tap water and bottled water,” Castillo, says. “They appear to be everywhere.”

Scientists estimate that people ingest 5 grams of microplastic particles each week on average – equivalent to the weight of a credit card.

 

Over a four-week period, Castillo, postdoctoral fellow Marcus Garcia, PharmD, and other UNM researchers exposed mice to microplastics in their drinking water. The amount was equivalent to the quantity of microplastics humans are believed to ingest each week.

Microplastics had migrated out of the gut into the tissues of the liver, kidney and even the brain, the team found. The study also showed the microplastics changed metabolic pathways in the affected tissues.

“We could detect microplastics in certain tissues after the exposure,” Castillo says. “That tells us it can cross the intestinal barrier and infiltrate into other tissues.”

Castillo says he’s also concerned about the accumulation of the plastic particles in the human body. “These mice were exposed for four weeks,” he says. “Now, think about how that equates to humans, if we're exposed from birth to old age.”

 

He has previously found that microplastics are also impacting macrophages – the immune cells that work to protect the body from foreign particles.

In a paper published in the journal Cell Biology & Toxicology in 2021, Castillo and other UNM researchers found that when macrophages encountered and ingested microplastics, their function was altered and they released inflammatory molecules.

“It is changing the metabolism of the cells, which can alter inflammatory responses,” Castillo says. “During intestinal inflammation – states of chronic illness such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, which are both forms of inflammatory bowel disease – these macrophages become more inflammatory and they’re more abundant in the gut.”

  • Rage+1 1
  • 1 month later...
Posted

Well, okay ... microplastics are responsible for decreasing sperm counts, migrating out of the gut into the tissues of the liver, kidney and even the brain, gunking up the oceans, killing mass quantities of fish etc ... but they are just so damn convenient.

  • Hook 'Em 1
  • Rage+1 2
Posted
1 hour ago, Hornius Emeritus said:

Well, okay ... microplastics are responsible for decreasing sperm counts, migrating out of the gut into the tissues of the liver, kidney and even the brain, gunking up the oceans, killing mass quantities of fish etc ... but they are just so damn convenient.

so hear me out, we get off oil-based plastic testicles and use solar.  Like Tucker said, we can tan our testicles using the sun instead of polypropylene.  It's a win-win.  

Posted
2 hours ago, Hornius Emeritus said:

Well, okay ... microplastics are responsible for decreasing sperm counts, migrating out of the gut into the tissues of the liver, kidney and even the brain, gunking up the oceans, killing mass quantities of fish etc ... but they are just so damn convenient.

[Laughs in Point Comfort Formosa plant nodules in Matagorda Bay]

  • Hook 'Em 2
Posted

Could we please redirect the 45% of corn production we waste on ethanol toward making bioplastics instead? Or perhaps ban wasteful plastic bags used at grocery stores/Walmart? Maybe fucking charge for them? Do something.

Holy shit.

  • Hook 'Em 2
Posted
14 hours ago, bolverk said:

Could we please redirect the 45% of corn production we waste on ethanol toward making bioplastics instead? Or perhaps ban wasteful plastic bags used at grocery stores/Walmart? Maybe fucking charge for them? Do something.

Holy shit.

It’s annoying as anything can be we have the technology to eliminate most petroleum plastics with little inconvenience, but nah. Won’t do it, can’t do it, wouldn’t be prudent.

Posted
15 minutes ago, troph said:

It’s annoying as anything can be we have the technology to eliminate most petroleum plastics with little inconvenience, but nah. Won’t do it, can’t do it, wouldn’t be prudent.

We won't do it because it's cheaper to use petroleum plastics. It's purely driven by need for shareholder value and cost savings. 

  • Rage+1 1
Posted
2 hours ago, Captainant said:

We won't do it because it's cheaper to use petroleum plastics. It's purely driven by need for shareholder value and cost savings. 

Plastics are a huge source of revenue for fossil fuel producers. They're never giving that up willingly.

  • 2 months later...
Posted

I guess this shouldn't surprise anyone. Yay, our brains may be one of the most polluted of the organs.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/21/microplastics-brain-pollution-health

In one of the latest studies to emerge – a pre-print paper still undergoing peer review that is posted online by the National Institutes of Health – researchers found a particularly concerning accumulation of microplastics in brain samples.

An examination of the livers, kidneys and brains of autopsied bodies found that all contained microplastics, but the 91 brain samples contained on average about 10 to 20 times more than the other organs. The results came as a shock, according to the study’s lead author Matthew Campen, a toxicologist and professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of New Mexico.

The researchers found that 24 of the brain samples, which were collected in early 2024, measured on average about 0.5% plastic by weight.

“It’s pretty alarming,” Campen said. “There’s much more plastic in our brains than I ever would have imagined or been comfortable with.”

The study describes the brain as “one of the most plastic-polluted tissues yet sampled”.

  • Rage+1 3
  • 4 weeks later...
Posted

I smell plastic.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/microplastics-brain-new-research-finds-plastics-olfactory-bulb-rcna171200

Microplastics can get into brain tissue, study shows

The tiny scraps of plastic were found in the olfactory bulb, the part of the brain responsible for processing smell.

Scientists in Brazil found microplastics in the brain tissue of cadavers, according to a new study published Monday in the journal JAMA Network Open.

Mounting research over the last few years has found microplastics in nearly every organ in the body, as well as in the bloodstream and in plaque that clogs arteries. Whether these ubiquitous pollutants can reach the human brain has been a primary concern for scientists.

The latest research looked at a part of the brain called the olfactory bulb, which processes information about smell. Humans have two olfactory bulbs, one above each nasal cavity. Connecting the olfactory bulb and the nasal cavity is the olfactory nerve.

Some researchers worry the olfactory pathway may also be an entry point for microplastics getting into the brain, beyond the olfactory bulb.

“Previous studies in humans and animals have shown that air pollution reaches the brain, and that particles have been found in the olfactory bulb, which is why we think the olfactory bulb is probably one of the first points for microplastics to reach the brain,” said lead study author Dr. Thais Mauad, an associate professor of pathology at the University of São Paulo Medical School in Brazil.

Mauad and her team took samples of olfactory bulb tissue from 15 cadavers of people who died between the ages of 33 and 100. Samples from eight of the cadavers contained microplastics — tiny bits of plastic that ranged from 5.5 micrometers to 26.4 micrometers in size.

In total, the researchers found 16 plastic fibers and particles in the tissues. The smallest were slimmer than the diameter of a human red blood cell, which measures about 8 micrometers. The most common type of plastic they found was polypropylene, followed by polyamide, nylon and polyethylene vinyl acetate.

“Propylene is everywhere, in furniture, rugs, clothes,” Mauad said. “We know the place we are most exposed to particles is indoors, because all of our homes are full of plastic.”

Matthew Campen, a toxicologist at the University of New Mexico who has studied microplastics in the brain, said the presence of microplastics in the olfactory bulb “is unique but not terribly surprising.”

“The nose is a major point of defense to keep particles and dust out of the lungs,” Campen wrote in an email. “So seeing some plastics in the olfactory system, especially given how they are being found everywhere else in the body, is completely expected.”

  • 6 months later...
Posted

another article about plastic in our brains.

We are so fucked.....

‐---------------------

Scientists sound alarm after making disturbing discovery while studying human brains: 'This stuff is increasing in our world exponentially'

Kritiksha Sharma

Mon, April 14, 2025 at 5:45 AM CDT

 

Scientists sound alarm after making disturbing discovery while studying human brains: 'This stuff is increasing in our world exponentially'

Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.

Plastic pollution isn't just an ocean issue anymore — it is a lot closer to home than you might think. A recent study revealed that the average human brain may contain the equivalent of a whopping five plastic bottle caps' worth of microplastics.

The New York Times took a deeper dive into the topic on the heels of that study making the rounds in February, showing that scientists are only beginning to scratch the surface of what this could mean for our health.

What's happening?

In a groundbreaking study led by researchers at the University of New Mexico, scientists found that brain samples from 2024 contained nearly 50% more microplastics than those from just eight years ago. The average brain held roughly seven grams of plastic — the same as a disposable spoon.

More concerning still, the researchers observed higher levels of microplastics in the brains of people with dementia, though as the Times noted, the scientists at the lab "noted that might be because those brains have a more porous blood-brain barrier and are less able to clear toxins." Similar plastic particles have already been found in the human placenta, bloodstream, and even a baby's first stool.

As plastic accumulation balloons in the environment, it mirrors this growth in our bodies. "This stuff is increasing in our world exponentially," toxicologist Dr. Matthew Campen told The New York Times.

Why is this discovery concerning?

Once they enter the human body, some microplastic particles are so small they can pass through critical barriers and lodge in organs like the brain. While scientists haven't yet nailed down how much plastic is too much, early research findings suggest nothing short of dangerous.

 

Cue the groans of hopelessness.

 

"I don't think I've talked to a single person who's said: 'Fantastic! Love to know that there's all that plastic in my brain,'" Dr. Campen told the Times.

Current research shows links between microplastics and serious health issues, including cognitive decline, reproductive concerns, immune system disruption, memory loss, hormonal disruptions, and even developmental problems in children. And because most of this plastic waste is decades old, it's not just a problem of the future — it's already here.

Additionally, since microplastics also seep into the soil, water, and pollute the ecosystems, they pose a threat not only to people, but also to the wildlife and food systems we rely on. In short, this isn't simply a medical concern — it is a public health and environmental challenge with severe global implications.

What's being done about it?

The Times' deep dive, which has many more fascinating details, noted that Dr. Campden's team is continuing its research and "now studying tissue from cross-sections of a single brain to find out whether certain regions have higher microplastics concentrations and whether that could be linked to issues like Parkinson's or memory loss."

While researchers continue to investigate the health impacts of microplastics, efforts are already underway to tackle the problem from multiple fronts. Countries like France, England, and India have introduced bans on common single-use plastics, while cities including Los Angeles and New York are restricting items like Styrofoam and plastic produce bags.

On the individual level, practicing habits like swapping out single-use plastics for reusable alternatives, avoiding microwaving food in plastic containers, and using microfiber-catching laundry bags can all go a long way.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/scientists-sound-alarm-making-disturbing-104501398.html

 

Posted
13 minutes ago, freyguy said:

another article about plastic in our brains.

We are so fucked.....

‐---------------------

Scientists sound alarm after making disturbing discovery while studying human brains: 'This stuff is increasing in our world exponentially'

Kritiksha Sharma

Mon, April 14, 2025 at 5:45 AM CDT

 

Scientists sound alarm after making disturbing discovery while studying human brains: 'This stuff is increasing in our world exponentially'

Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.

Plastic pollution isn't just an ocean issue anymore — it is a lot closer to home than you might think. A recent study revealed that the average human brain may contain the equivalent of a whopping five plastic bottle caps' worth of microplastics.

The New York Times took a deeper dive into the topic on the heels of that study making the rounds in February, showing that scientists are only beginning to scratch the surface of what this could mean for our health.

What's happening?

In a groundbreaking study led by researchers at the University of New Mexico, scientists found that brain samples from 2024 contained nearly 50% more microplastics than those from just eight years ago. The average brain held roughly seven grams of plastic — the same as a disposable spoon.

More concerning still, the researchers observed higher levels of microplastics in the brains of people with dementia, though as the Times noted, the scientists at the lab "noted that might be because those brains have a more porous blood-brain barrier and are less able to clear toxins." Similar plastic particles have already been found in the human placenta, bloodstream, and even a baby's first stool.

As plastic accumulation balloons in the environment, it mirrors this growth in our bodies. "This stuff is increasing in our world exponentially," toxicologist Dr. Matthew Campen told The New York Times.

Why is this discovery concerning?

Once they enter the human body, some microplastic particles are so small they can pass through critical barriers and lodge in organs like the brain. While scientists haven't yet nailed down how much plastic is too much, early research findings suggest nothing short of dangerous.

 

Cue the groans of hopelessness.

 

"I don't think I've talked to a single person who's said: 'Fantastic! Love to know that there's all that plastic in my brain,'" Dr. Campen told the Times.

Current research shows links between microplastics and serious health issues, including cognitive decline, reproductive concerns, immune system disruption, memory loss, hormonal disruptions, and even developmental problems in children. And because most of this plastic waste is decades old, it's not just a problem of the future — it's already here.

Additionally, since microplastics also seep into the soil, water, and pollute the ecosystems, they pose a threat not only to people, but also to the wildlife and food systems we rely on. In short, this isn't simply a medical concern — it is a public health and environmental challenge with severe global implications.

What's being done about it?

The Times' deep dive, which has many more fascinating details, noted that Dr. Campden's team is continuing its research and "now studying tissue from cross-sections of a single brain to find out whether certain regions have higher microplastics concentrations and whether that could be linked to issues like Parkinson's or memory loss."

While researchers continue to investigate the health impacts of microplastics, efforts are already underway to tackle the problem from multiple fronts. Countries like France, England, and India have introduced bans on common single-use plastics, while cities including Los Angeles and New York are restricting items like Styrofoam and plastic produce bags.

On the individual level, practicing habits like swapping out single-use plastics for reusable alternatives, avoiding microwaving food in plastic containers, and using microfiber-catching laundry bags can all go a long way.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/scientists-sound-alarm-making-disturbing-104501398.html

 

I’d like to see a comparison of plastic levels in the brains of vegans, vegetarians, pescatarians, carnivores, etc. I saw a video about 5 years ago where old bread with the plastic still on it was being thrown into a machine that makes the feed for cows. I’m sure this is going on more than we think but all of the plastic outrage seems to be directed at water bottles and drinking containers. 

  • 6 months later...
Posted

Saw this in JAMA today:

 

Microplastics and Human Health

 Summarize

Plastics production and use reached 435 million tons in 2020 (up from 234 million tons in 2000) and by 2040 is expected to further increase by 70%. Plastics are synthetic materials composed of polymers, such as polyester, polyethylene, copolymers of polypropylene, and polyurethane, that vary in chemical composition and often contain additives. Although more than 13 000 chemicals are associated with plastics, 10 groups of chemicals are identified as being of major concern due to their high toxicity and potential to migrate or be released from plastics. These include specific flame retardants, certain UV stabilizers, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), phthalates, bisphenols, alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates, biocides, certain metals and metalloids, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Microplastics

Plastics smaller than 5 mm are termed microplastics, which enter the body primarily through inhalation or ingestion after plastic litter in the environment degrades into smaller plastic fragments. Inhaled particles that have a diameter of 2.5 μm or smaller can enter the alveoli of the lungs and the bloodstream and accumulate widely in the tissues.1 Many foods, beverages, and drinking water sources contain microplastics, which can enter the body upon ingestion. A 2020 study performed in Mexico evaluated microplastic contamination in 57 common beverages (soft drinks, beer, cold tea, and energy drinks). Of the beverages evaluated, 48 samples showed detectable microplastics, 36 samples contained less than 5 microplastic particles/L, 9 samples had 5 to 10 microplastic particles/L, and 3 samples contained 11 to 30 microplastic particles/L, with the highest abundance of microplastics (mean [SD], 28 [5.29] particles/L) recorded in a beer sample.2 Many clothing pieces, cosmetics, and other personal use products contain microplastics and use of these products may lead to increased exposure through accidental ingestion or aerosolized inhalation. A 2024 review of 38 studies investigating 2379 cosmetic and personal care products reported 16.4% (n = 390) contained microplastics. Face scrub was the most commonly tested product (46.8% of total products tested) and 26.5% of the face scrubs tested contained microplastics.

Microplastics’ unique surface area, defined by coarse shapes and heterogeneous material, enables them to act as a vehicle for various contaminants. Specifically, microplastics act as sorbents that adsorb or absorb various pollutants on their surface primarily through hydrophobic or electrostatic means and by pore filling (physically accumulating environmental contaminants, such as microbes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals, and encasing them in micro or nanopores) interactions.3 In vitro studies using human cell lines, organoids (3-dimensional, miniature organ structures grown in the laboratory that mimic the structure and function of real organs), and animal studies have shown that microplastic exposure increases oxidative stress, production of reactive oxygen species, cell membrane organelle damage, immune response, and DNA damage.4 Liver organoid exposure to polystyrene microplastics induced hepatotoxicity with increased alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in the supernatant (liquid above a solid phase) and compromised antioxidant balance, suggesting oxidative stress and an increase in inflammatory response observed via elevated interleukin-6 levels, even at the lowest dosage used in this study (0.25 μg/mL; mean [SD], 102 [7] items/mL).5

Methods of Detecting Microplastics

Current detection methods for microplastics, such as microscopy, spectroscopy (analysis of the spectrum of light that a substance emits or absorbs), and thermal analysis are being used, and most studies focus on detecting polystyrene particles.6 Many techniques have been validated, standardized, and published; however, methodological limitations include difficulty of isolation from complex environmental or biological samples and identification of each microplastic type. More robust and standardized methodologies for detecting and quantitating microplastics are being studied.

Presence of Microplastics in Human Tissues

Studies have reported the presence of microplastics in many human tissues and organs, including the lungs, brain, blood, liver, kidneys, heart and circulatory system, spleen, colon, testes, ovarian follicular fluid, and placenta as well as in human breast milk and infants’ first stools. Longitudinal studies suggest increased microplastic concentrations in biological tissues over the past several decades. Levels of microplastics were statistically higher among 24 individuals in 2024 compared with 28 individuals in 2016 in postmortem human brain tissue (median, 4917 μg g−1 vs 3345 μg g−1) and liver tissue (103.7 μg g−1 vs 432.9 μg g−1).7 A study using spectroscopy reported a substantial increase in the frequency and concentration of microplastics in human placentas in Hawaiʻi from 2006 to 2021.8 Based on examination of 10 placental samples in each time frame, microplastics were detected in 60% in 2006, 90% in 2013, and 100% in 2021. Average microplastic particles per 50 g of placental tissue increased from 4.1 in 2006 to 7.1 in 2013 to 15.5 in 2021. The increase in the number of microplastics per 50 g of placenta tissue from 2021 reached statistical significance in comparison with 2006 samples (P < .001) and 2013 samples (P < .05).8

Known and Potential Health Effects Associated With Microplastics

Observational studies have shown an association of microplastics with adverse health effects, although this does not prove causation. In a study of 257 patients with asymptomatic carotid artery disease, microplastics (polyethylene) were found in the excised carotid artery plaque of 58.4% of patients (n = 150; mean [SD] level, 21.7 [24.5] μg/mg of plaque) and 12.1% (n = 31) also had measurable amounts of polyvinyl chloride (mean [SD] level, 5.2 [2.4] μg/mg of plaque).9 Patients with detectable microplastics in excised carotid artery plaque had a 4.5 times higher risk (20.0%; 30/150 patients) of a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from any cause at 34 months of follow-up than those in whom microplastics were not detected (7.5%; 8/107 patients).9 A postmortem study reported that brain tissue obtained from 12 patients with dementia had higher levels of microplastics than those obtained from 52 individuals without dementia (26 076 μg g−1 vs 4131 μg g−1; P < .001).7Further research into potential mechanisms of organ dysfunction and disease associated with microplastics is ongoing.

Policies to Reduce Plastic Pollution

Although many local and national policies exist to limit plastic pollution, few comprehensive international agreements are currently in place to decrease plastic pollution. Agreements that have been reached include the 2019 Basel Convention Plastic Waste Amendments, which control transboundary movements of plastic waste into countries with limited recycling options (such as insufficient recycling plants or lack of technical expertise to recycle in an environmentally sound manner), and the MARPOL Annex V, a legally binding agreement signed by more than 150 countries that prohibits ships from dumping plastic waste into the ocean. The United Nations Global Plastics Treaty has been in negotiation since March 2022 after a resolution was adopted to develop an international, legally binding agreement on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, with a goal of addressing “the full life cycle of plastics, including their production, design, and disposal.”

Conclusions

Microplastics have been detected in human tissues at increasing rates and are associated with known and potential adverse health effects, raising concerns over the high levels of plastic pollutants in the air, water, and soil. International cooperation to limit plastic pollution and to find environmentally safe plastic alternatives is needed.

Corresponding Author: David C. Christiani, MD, MPH, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Ave, Bldg I, Room 1401, Boston, MA 02115 (dchris@hsph.harvard.edu).

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