Average human brain contains spoonful of microplastics
10 March 2025
A study from the University of New Mexico published in Nature has found the equivalent of a spoonful of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in human brains from corpses analysed. Brains of corpses with a documented clinical history of dementia, were found to have three to five times higher amounts of MNPs.
The accumulation was bigger in other organs, like levers and kidneys, with polyethylene as the main component detected in the samples.
Two different sets of corpses were studied, with those dead in 2024 presenting higher levels of MNPs than those dead in 2016, suggesting an ongoing increase in environmental exposure.
These results highlight a critical need to better understand the routes of exposure to and uptake.
Still, the study showed no correlation between the amounts of micro- and nanoplastics and age, suggesting the possibility that the body can eliminate at least some amount of MNPs.
France becomes first EU country to ban social media access for under-15s
France’s parliament has approved a bill banning social media access for children under 15, making…
Social media marketing influences our food choices
As the UK, Canada, or Austria move towards restricting social media use for minors, studies…
The Lancet confirms Chile’s pioneering food policy is helping reduce childhood obesity
A new study published in The Lancet provides the first national-level evidence that Chile’s comprehensive…
Nestlé to remove all artificial food colourings from its products this year
French headquarters building of Nestlé Nestlé plans to remove artificial food colourings from all food…
Study links sugar elimination to gut and metabolic issues
A surprising study found that completely cutting sugar from one’s diet may disrupt gut health and metabolism,…
Belgium taken to court for emergency authorisation of toxic pesticides
PAN Europe and Nature et Progrès Belgium have taken the Belgian state to court for…
