A study published on August 20 by the University of Rhode Island found that microplastics accumulating in the brain may impair its function. In experiments with mice predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease, researchers observed cognitive and memory problems when the animals were exposed to high levels of microplastics.
Scientists already know that microplastics are present in human brains. A paper published on February 3 in Nature Medicine estimated that the average brain may contain about seven grams (0.25 ounces) of plastic particles—the weight of a small spoon. What has been less clear is how these particles influence cognition or contribute to neurodegenerative diseases.
With about one in nine Americans over 65 living with Alzheimer’s, the findings raise fresh concerns about the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution. Microplastics are already everywhere—from the ocean’s deepest trenches to Arctic ice, drinking water, and even the human body. As contamination becomes unavoidable, scientists warn it is time to better understand how this invisible pollutant affects not just the environment but also human health.
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