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Tag: plastic
February 5, 2025
Health

Microplastics Detected in Human Brains.

Researchers from the University of New Mexico have identified microplastics in human brain tissue, with concentrations far exceeding those in other organs. The study reveals a 50 percent increase in brain microplastics over the past eight years, according to samples analyzed by the team. Using brain tissue from the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, the scientists noted that these findings call for increased concern about plastic exposure and its potential effects.

The study focused on the frontal cortex, a brain region associated with reasoning and motor skills. The researchers used chemical processes to isolate plastics and identified 12 types, predominantly polyethylene. The findings demonstrate that microplastics accumulate significantly in neuronal fat cells, potentially explaining high concentrations in the brain.

The brain samples, spanning from 2016 to 2024, revealed sharp plastic fragments small enough to pass through the blood-brain barrier. Although the impact of these plastics on brain function is not yet understood, microplastics have been linked to health issues in previous studies. Notably, the researchers observed higher plastic levels in brain samples of dementia patients, though the study does not conclusively establish causation.

The research highlights concerns over microplastic pollution, which is expected to rise due to the persistence of plastic waste. Campen emphasized how food, particularly meat, contributes to microplastic accumulation in the body due to contamination in agriculture and livestock farming practices.

This ongoing environmental issue underscores the broader implications of microplastics on human health.

Image by cogdogblog.

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Researchers from the University of New Mexico have identified microplastics in human brain tissue, with concentrations far exceeding those in other organs. The study reveals a 50 percent increase in brain microplastics over the past eight years, according to samples analyzed by the team. Using brain tissue from the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, the scientists noted that these findings call for increased concern about plastic exposure and its potential effects. show more
November 20, 2024
Health

Biden-Harris Reverse Course on Plans to Cap Plastic Production and Ban Harmful Chemicals.

The Biden-Harris government has shifted its stance regarding a proposed cap on plastic production in the United Nations’ global plastics treaty. This change was communicated during a private meeting between White House staffers and various environmental advocacy groups last week. Initially, an August briefing indicated that the United States would align itself with countries such as Norway, Peru, and the United Kingdom, which support production limits. However, representatives have now been informed that mandatory production caps are not considered feasible for the upcoming fifth session of the treaty negotiations in Busan, South Korea.

Instead of binding production limits, U.S. delegates are expected to advocate for a flexible framework where nations can establish their own voluntary reduction targets. The Biden-Harris government also now favors blacklisting certain plastic products containing harmful chemicals rather than banning the chemicals themselves, a weak and likely ineffectual approach liable to be circumvented at scale.

American Indian activists are complaining about the backtracking, stressing the neurological damage that endocrine-disrupting plastics can inflict on their youth. “How can we pass on our language, our creation stories, our songs and dances, our traditions and cultures, if our children can’t learn?” demanded Viola Waghiyi, a Native activist in Alaska.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nominated by President-elect Donald J. Trump as Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, flagged issues with microplastics entering the human brain as recently as September. During his independent run for the presidency, he pledged to make removing plastics from the nation’s food and water supply “a priority.”

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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The Biden-Harris government has shifted its stance regarding a proposed cap on plastic production in the United Nations' global plastics treaty. This change was communicated during a private meeting between White House staffers and various environmental advocacy groups last week. Initially, an August briefing indicated that the United States would align itself with countries such as Norway, Peru, and the United Kingdom, which support production limits. However, representatives have now been informed that mandatory production caps are not considered feasible for the upcoming fifth session of the treaty negotiations in Busan, South Korea. show more
Microplastics Cancer
April 28, 2024
Jack Montgomery
Health
Science

Microplastics Causing Cancer Cells to Spread.

Cancer cells that come into contact with plastic particles less than 0.25 micrometers in size are more likely to spread, causing the disease to metastasize throughout the body. The research was led by Professor Lukas Kenner of the University of Vienna and found most micro- and nanoplastics in the human body enter through the digestive system.

“The study’s findings are an indication that plastic not only resides in tumor cells but also accelerates the outgrowth of these cells,” said Kenner, stressing that the research scared him, “and I hope it scares other people too.”

“Governments and businesses must fund research into the impact of plastic on human health and work to eradicate this dangerous pollutant from our daily lives,” he added.

Previous research has suggested that people could consume over 1,000 microplastics a year through table salt alone. Of 16,000 components recently cataloged in plastic products, around 4,200 — over a quarter — are “persistent, bioaccumulative, mobile and/or toxic” in the human body.

The United Nations’ World Health Organization (WHO) has projected a 77 percent increase in cancer cases worldwide by 2050.

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Cancer cells that come into contact with plastic particles less than 0.25 micrometers in size are more likely to spread, causing the disease to metastasize throughout the body. The research was led by Professor Lukas Kenner of the University of Vienna and found most micro- and nanoplastics in the human body enter through the digestive system. show more
March 17, 2024
Health

Plastic Contains Over 4,000 Toxic Chemicals, Study Reveals.

A massive new study has revealed that plastic contains over 4,000 toxic chemicals.

Scientists cataloged over 16,000 components in plastic products, revealing that 4,200, or 26 percent, pose dangers linked to their “persistent, bioaccumulative, mobile and/or toxic” characteristics. The findings are part of the PlastChem report, recently released ahead of upcoming UN negotiations on a global plastic pollution treaty.

The researchers took a year to assess these chemicals’ health and environmental impacts in detail, aiming to assist future regulation and international action to limit plastic dependency. The exhaustive list includes plastic ingredients, stabilizers, and coloring agents, several of which were not previously recorded in previous studies.

Of the chemicals identified, more than 400 pervade commonly used plastic products, such as food packaging, all of which can leach dangerous chemicals into the environment. Prior studies highlighted health risks linked to phthalates, such as reproductive system disruption, development of asthma, and cancer risk, associated with these chemical compound families.

However, the report indicates that knowledge gaps persist as the toxicity data for over 10,000 plastic-associated chemicals remains unavailable due to a lack of industry transparency.

Although around 1,000 plastic chemicals are regulated under international agreements, myriad substances remain unregulated. It is the hope among scientists involved that this in-depth analysis will significantly influence future policy development aimed at mitigating the global plastic pollution issues.

Concerns over the dangers of plastic are increasing as society learns more about the material’s pervasive prevalence. Earlier this year, it was reported that humans consume over 1,000 microplastics annually through table salt alone.

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A massive new study has revealed that plastic contains over 4,000 toxic chemicals. show more