Microplastics In Our Brains – The Jury Is Out
Summary
We live in the age of plastic. It’s everywhere, from packaging to the clothes we wear. This comes at a cost. One example is the presence of microplastics in our brains and bloodstreams.
The particles are smaller than 5 mm in our blood. They are much smaller to enable passage through the blood brain barrier (BBB). This occurs from the breakdown of larger plastic pieces through environmental weathering. They are intentionally manufactured in small sizes for use in products like cosmetics (microbeads).
We absorb them daily through ingestion (contaminated food and water), inhalation (airborne fibres) and even through medical devices. The concern is the potential dangers this may pose to our health.
However, don’t get too worried. The jury is still out on how dangerous this may be. Awareness of this condition is relatively new. So far, experts are just expressing supposition and concern about what might occur. But changing how and what plastics we use is important.
The video below explains in detail.
The Bad News
- Inflammation and Immune Response: The body’s immune system recognises these plastic particles as foreign substances. This can trigger inflammatory responses which may lead to chronic inflammation throughout the body.
- Cardiovascular Issues: Studies suggest a link between microplastics in blood vessels and an increased risk of cardiovascular problems. They may contribute to the formation of plaques. This may increase the likelihood of blood clots and also cause oxidative stress, damaging blood vessel cells. A recent study even indicated a higher risk of heart attack. It showed stroke or death in individuals with microplastics found in carotid artery plaques.
- Organ Damage: As the bloodstream circulates, microplastics can potentially reach and accumulate in various organs. Research on animals has shown that microplastic exposure can lead to tissue damage. It also causes dysfunction in organs like the liver and kidneys.
- Endocrine Disruption: Plastics often contain additives like phthalates and bisphenols. Once these microplastics are in the bloodstream, these chemicals can leach out. They can interfere with the body’s hormonal system. This interference can potentially lead to a range of health issues, including fertility problems, metabolic disorders, and developmental issues.
- Neurotoxicity: Perhaps one of the most alarming findings is the potential for microplastics to cross the BBB. This is especially true for nanoplastics smaller than 1 micrometre. This protective barrier usually prevents harmful substances from entering the delicate environment of the brain. Studies in animals have shown that microplastics can indeed breach the BBB. This leads to neuroinflammation. It also potentially contributes to neurobehavioral abnormalities and cognitive decline.
The Good News
The good news is that a high end London medical practice is scrubbing its clients’ blood of microplastics. Read about it here. However, this is new and experts express doubts.
Current research is focusing on understanding the mechanisms by which microplastics cross the BBB and their effects on brain cells. This knowledge is needed for developing potential future strategies, which might include:
Targeted Drug Delivery: Research is exploring ways to deliver therapeutic agents across the BBB. These agents could potentially bind to microplastics. They might also facilitate the removal of microplastics.
Enhancing Natural Clearance Mechanisms: Specialists are investigating methods to stimulate the brain’s natural waste removal systems. This includes systems like the lymphatic system. The goal is to clear these particles more effectively.
Preventative Measures: The most effective approach in the long run is reducing our exposure to microplastics. This should be done at the source. We can achieve this by identifying and mitigating the sources of microplastics. This includes:
- Reducing our consumption of single use plastics.
- Choosing natural fibre clothing.
- Using water filters.
- Avoid heating food in plastic containers.
- Supporting policies aimed at reducing plastic production and improving waste management
Effective removal is elusive. Research aims to find solutions. A concerted effort to reduce plastic waste is also a crucial step in stopping this emerging threat to human health.
Reducing Single Use Plastic Consumption:
This is probably the most impactful step you can take. Single use plastics are designed for immediate disposal after only one use. They contribute significantly to plastic waste. This leads to eventual microplastic formation.
- Bring Your Own Bags: Carry reusable shopping bags made of cloth or sturdy materials. Keep them in your car, handbag, or by the door so you remember them.
- Say No to Single Use Cutlery and Straws: Choose reusable cutlery. It can be made of metal, bamboo, or even your own set. Decline plastic straws at restaurants and consider reusable metal, glass, or silicone straws.
- Reusable Water Bottles and Coffee Cups: Invest in a good quality reusable water bottle and coffee cup. some cafes offer discounts for bringing your own cup.
- Choose Products with Less Packaging: Opt for items with minimal or recyclable packaging. Consider buying in bulk where possible to reduce the amount of individual packaging.
- Avoid Single Serve Packaging: Choose larger containers of yogurt, snacks, etc., instead of individual portions.
- Refuse Plastic Wrap and Bags for Produce: Use reusable produce bags made of mesh. Bags made of cloth are a good alternative too. Avoid using the thin plastic bags provided in supermarkets. Store leftovers in reusable containers instead of plastic wrap.
- Consider Alternatives to Plastic Food Storage: Use glass or stainless steel containers for storing food in the fridge and freezer.
- Switch to Solid Toiletries: Consider bar soaps, shampoo bars, and solid conditioner instead of liquid versions in plastic bottles.
Choosing Natural Fibre Clothing:
Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and acrylic are major sources of microplastic fibers. These microfibers are released during washing. They can be released even while wearing.
- Opt for Natural Fabrics: Choose clothing made from natural fibres such as cotton, linen, wool, silk, and hemp. These materials, when they degrade, do not form persistent plastic pollutants.
- Wash Synthetic Clothes Less Frequently: Washing synthetic clothes less often can reduce the amount of microfibers released.
- Use a Microfibre Filter or Laundry Bag: There are specialized laundry bags and filters. They are designed to capture microfibers released during the washing cycle. This prevents them from entering wastewater.
- Consider Garments Made with Tightly Woven Fabrics: Tightly woven fabrics tend to shed fewer fibres than loosely woven ones.
Using Water Filters:
Microplastics have been found in both tap water and bottled water.
- Install a Water Filter: Consider using a high quality water filter for your tap water. Filters with smaller pore sizes, such as reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters, can effectively remove microplastic particles.
- Be Mindful of Bottled Water: Bottled water is sometimes perceived as cleaner. However, it can also contain microplastics that may leach from the plastic bottle itself. Prioritising filtered tap water reduces both plastic waste and potential microplastic intake.
Avoiding Heating Food in Plastic Containers:
Heating food in plastic containers, especially in a microwave, can cause chemicals from the plastic to leach into the food. This includes microplastic particles and potentially harmful additives.
- Use Glass or Ceramic Containers for Heating: Always transfer food to microwave safe glass or ceramic dishes before heating.
- Avoid Covering Food with Plastic Wrap in the Microwave: Use a glass lid or a microwave-safe cover instead.
Relatively Safer Plastics
Some plastics are safer than others: These are Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polypropylene (PP)
Not so good are: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or V), Polystyrene (PS), Polycarbonate or Bisphenol A (BPA)
6 Responses
Another reason for people (particularly the young) to worry about! What percentage of problems an be attributed to micro plastics? I have been learning of the presence of amyloids in our blood vessels ( they are a protein which floats around and occasionally (rarely) attach to major organs (heart, liver and kidneys) Prognosis when this occurs is not good. Can we legislate to prevent all these substances from being used? Or are we going to live our lives choosing to worry/ not worry and get on with life. I am also sceptical of the commercial use of filters for nanoparticles. It reminds me of the use of paper masks and wiping surfaces to prevent COVID!
Thanks John
As I mentioned in my reply to Stewart there is virtually no chance of getting rid of plastic altogether. However if we are serious we can do what I’ve suggested to Stewart.
Regarding Covid, I think masks and wiping down surfaces were a good idea to minimise it.
My problem with all of these proposed actions is that they have no detectable effect. I understand that we should personally take steps to remove ourselves from participating in the problems of microplastics and the millions of tonnes of the long-lasting stuff already accumulating in the environment, but it is impossible to do this without leaving ourselves as individuals with a cloying sense of superiority. We can feel happy that we are no longer contributing to the problem — so we can get on with living our comfortable lives.
However, by the time a substantial number of people on the globe seriously come to grips with these problems/dangers of ever-lasting chemicals like PAFSs (Teflon) and the tens of thousands of other products of our modern chemical industries becomes seriously apparent, we’ll all be long dead. To this you need to add more decades while the third world nations developed economies capable of banning their use in favour of the cheaper and better alternatives — especially in hot countries with homes that don’t have electricity or a fridge.
In Australia, we’ve only really been aware of the dangers of non-reactive, ever-lasting substances since the days of the asbestos scares in the 1980s. This was followed by threats from the dioxin problems following the Vietnam war, and now by the thousands of PFAS chemical in the last couple of years. This is the pace of change.
By the time the third-world is prepared to abandon the cheap and plentiful plastics which cause these problems, the globe will be supporting 11 billion people, and half these will be only marginally above even a moderate subsistence level.
If some highly educated nation … like a politically-active, propaganda-influence country like Australia with its 26 million people were to jointly rise up in protest … through some miracle of political party cooperation and an altruistic-minded paper and electronic media … then we’d have about as much effect international as a fly-bite on the rump of an elephant.
This is where I question the value of the personal satisfaction generate in those (who with the best of intentions) decide to follow this advice and participate in challenging the cause of these global-scale problems by taking their own cup to the local cafe when they buy a capuccino.
It’s just too easy for those with the best of do-gooder intentions to take actions which have exactly zero effect on the ultimate consequences of the microplastics problem. This is the ultimate in trivial solutions, which can assume the psychological dimensions in each individual of having played a part by participating in a serious attack on the problem.
I think that, rationally, we must consider such proposals involving personal purchasing decisions, to be effectively a cop out.
Unless we are prepared to stomp the corridors of Canberra: boycott certain industries; write letters to politicians and editors etc. etc. (at an absolute minimum), then rationally we are doing nothing other than making ourselves feel good and superior to all those plebs who aren’t doing the same.
And I include myself in this. I do it all the time.
Stewart
OK, let’s face reality. It would be impossible to get rid of plastics altogether but here are some things to do to satisfy your penultimate paragraph
“Supporting Policies Aimed at Reducing Plastic Production and Improving Waste Management:
Individual actions are important, but systemic change is crucial for tackling the microplastic problem on a larger scale.
Support Bans on Single-Use Plastics: Advocate for and support government policies that ban or restrict the use of single-use plastics.
Promote Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Support policies that hold manufacturers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, including proper waste management and recycling.
Encourage Better Recycling Infrastructure: Advocate for improved recycling systems that can effectively process plastic waste and reduce its leakage into the environment.
Support Research and Innovation: Encourage investment in research to better understand the impacts of microplastics and develop sustainable alternatives.
Efficacy: Policy changes can create widespread impact by reducing the overall production and release of plastic into the environment, thereby limiting the source of microplastic pollution.
By implementing these preventative measures in your daily life and supporting broader systemic changes, you can significantly reduce your potential exposure to microplastics and contribute to a healthier environment for everyone. While removing existing microplastics from the body is currently a challenge, preventing further accumulation is a crucial first step.
Well said Stewart! Sometimes feel that we overestimate our contribution to the world’s problems and solutions. Can’t believe how so many of us are influenced by people,probably well meaning, who are influenced by a minority who refuse to recognise that there exist other solutions.
Thanks John
Well what you say is true, I think scientists take a balanced look at all the evidence and propose solutions that are sensible. But politicians may take distorted action to suit their political aims.