Researchers at the University of New Mexico have discovered that microplastic concentrations in human brain tissue increased by approximately 50 per cent between 2016 and 2024.
The study, published in Nature Medicine, found microplastic and nanoplastic concentrations in brain tissues reached median levels of 4,917 micrograms per gram in 2024 samples, up from 3,345 micrograms per gram in 2016.
Methodology and detection
The research team, led by Dr Matthew Campen, analysed tissue samples from the liver, kidney, and brain, finding plastic particles in all three organs. However, brain tissue contained substantially higher concentrations – seven to 30 times greater than those found in liver or kidney samples.
The study also analysed historical brain tissue samples from 1997-2013, finding significantly lower…