The extent of microplastics’ detrimental effects on human health has been thoroughly documented.
According to a recently released study, the presence of microplastics in water may raise the risk of both mental and physical illnesses. Experts caution that the brain and nervous system may suffer if microplastics enter the body.
A study comparing the levels of microplastics in seawater in more than 200 locations across the US found that disorders were more common in areas with higher concentrations. The prevalence of mental disorders, such as cognitive and memory decline, was 9% higher among residents of these areas, and the prevalence of disorders that hindered self-care was 16% higher. Furthermore, the likelihood of developing disorders restricting mobility and independent living increased by 6% and 8%, respectively.
The researchers emphasized that more research is required because microplastics cannot be identified as the disorder’s direct cause. However, the analysis revealed that the risk of disorder remained high in areas with high concentrations of microplastics, even after accounting for factors like heart disease and stroke.
According to Dr. Sarju Ganatra of Lahey Hospital, the study’s findings point to the potential effects of microplastics on human brain function. He pointed out that everything from ocean currents to population density and industrial activities could contribute to this plastic nightmare.
The study’s shocking results came from measuring microplastic particles in 218 coastal areas across 22 states. Some hotspots had over 1,000 particles per cubic meter, while cleaner areas had fewer than 10. Experts suggest swapping out plastic products for natural materials, metals, or glass whenever possible.
This study’s limitation is that it was based on data from a single point in time, so it did not fully account for the connection between the occurrence of disorders and changes in microplastic concentration over time. This study is not the first to identify a connection between brain health and microplastics. Compared to the 2016 study, the amount of plastic found in the brains of deceased individuals increased by 50% in 2024. Furthermore, dementia patients’ brains had ten times as many microplastics as those of healthy individuals.
According to a Chinese research team, blood clots caused by microplastics can raise the risk of mental illnesses like depression and stroke. Although the long-term health effects of microplastics are still unknown, worries are rising due to their easy exposure through clothing, food, water, cosmetics, and the air. Furthermore, it was discovered that a single tea bag can introduce billions of microplastics into the body.
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