We all know plastic is everywhere. It’s in our oceans, our food, even in the air. But now, a new study has shown it’s also in our brains.
A team of scientists from the University of New Mexico and other institutions analyzed human organs — specifically, the brain, liver, and kidneys — from people who passed away in 2016 and 2024. They wanted to see if tiny plastic particles, known as microplastics and nanoplastics, were making their way into human tissue. The results were surprising and a bit unsettling.
What Did They Find?
Microplastics were found in all three organs, but the brain had the highest levels.
The most common type of plastic found was polyethylene — the stuff used in plastic bags and packaging.
People who died in 2024 had more plastic in their organs than those who died in 2016 — suggesting that microplastics are building up in our bodies as plastic pollution grows.
Brains from people who had dementia showed even higher plastic levels than those without — particularly around blood vessels and immune cells.
How Do These Plastics Get There?
Researchers still don’t know for sure, but they suspect tiny plastic fragments are:
- Inhaled or ingested through food, water, or air.
- Carried through the bloodstream.
- Somehow crossing the blood-brain barrier, the brain’s natural defense system.
What Does This Mean for Our Health?
Right now, it’s too early to say if these plastics cause health problems like dementia. This study only shows a connection, not a cause. But the fact that microplastics are ending up in our brains — and in higher amounts than before — is enough to raise concern.
Why It Matters
Plastic pollution isn’t just an environmental issue — it’s a human health issue, too. As plastic continues to break down into smaller and smaller pieces, it becomes harder to avoid. This study is one of the first to show just how deep it might be going — right into our most sensitive organ.