***Importance***Â –Â *Microplastic (MP) pollution is an emerging environmental and health concern. While MPs have been detected in various human tissues, their presence in the human brain has not been documented, raising important questions about potential neurotoxic effects and the mechanisms by which MPs might reach brain tissues.*
***Objective***Â –Â *To determine the presence of MPs in the human olfactory bulb and to analyze their characteristics such as size, morphology, color, and polymeric composition.*
***Design, Setting, and Participants*** – *This case series study used a cross-sectional design involving the analysis of olfactory bulb tissues obtained from deceased individuals during routine coroner autopsies. The sampling procedures were conducted at São Paulo City Death Verification Service, with laboratory analysis carried out at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS). Participants included 15 adult individuals who had been residents of São Paulo for more than 5 years and underwent coroner autopsies. Exclusion criteria included previous neurosurgical interventions. Data analysis was performed in April 2024.*
***Exposure***Â –Â *The primary exposure assessed was the presence of MPs in the olfactory bulb, analyzed through direct tissue examination and digested tissue filtration followed by micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.*
***Main Outcomes and Measures***Â –Â *The main outcomes were the identification and characterization of MPs within the olfactory bulb, including their size, morphology, color, and polymeric composition.*
***Results*** -*The median age of the 15 deceased individuals was 69.5 years, ranging from 33 to 100 years, with 12 males and 3 females. MPs were detected in the olfactory bulbs of 8 out of 15 individuals. A total of 16 synthetic polymer particles and fibers were identified, with 75% being particles and 25% being fibers. The most common polymer detected was polypropylene (43.8%). Sizes of MPs ranged from 5.5 μm to 26.4 μm for particles, and the mean fiber length was 21.4 μm. Polymeric materials were absent in procedural blank and negative control filters, indicating minimal contamination risk.*
***Conclusions and Relevance***Â – *This case series provides evidence of MPs found in the human olfactory bulb, suggesting a potential pathway for the translocation of MPs to the brain. The findings underscore the need for further research on the health implications of MP exposure, particularly concerning neurotoxicity and the potential for MPs to bypass the blood-brain barrier.*
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CrisuKomie on
Yeah… I mean I think at this point we can all be in agreement that we’re all a small percentage of microplastics. Nothing can be done at this point.
[deleted] on
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buttflufftumbleweed on
I am curious if the fiber micro plastics cause mesothelioma like fibers of asbestos.
Not good either way.
PrimordialXY on
It sucks knowing that I’m losing this battle despite my best efforts
I have an air purifier on every floor of my house. I have water delivered in glass jugs that never touch any plastic ever. I exclusively use glass, wood, stainless steel, and silicone in my kitchen – even my sandwich bags are silicone as to not further contaminate food
Yet microplastics are everywhere
I truly hope they’re as harmless as most current research suggests
Serious_Position3850 on
We don’t need any more articles like this. Just assume there are microplastics and nanoplastics in every part of your body. There is plastic in our brains, hearts, lungs, all organs, teeth, tongue, hair, nails, skin, flowing through our veins and all other body fluids, inside our spinal cords, reproductive organs, eggs and foetuses. If I forgot to list something, just assume it’s riddled with microplastic as well.
7 Comments
Link to paper: [here](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2823787)
**Abstract**
***Importance***Â –Â *Microplastic (MP) pollution is an emerging environmental and health concern. While MPs have been detected in various human tissues, their presence in the human brain has not been documented, raising important questions about potential neurotoxic effects and the mechanisms by which MPs might reach brain tissues.*
***Objective***Â –Â *To determine the presence of MPs in the human olfactory bulb and to analyze their characteristics such as size, morphology, color, and polymeric composition.*
***Design, Setting, and Participants*** – *This case series study used a cross-sectional design involving the analysis of olfactory bulb tissues obtained from deceased individuals during routine coroner autopsies. The sampling procedures were conducted at São Paulo City Death Verification Service, with laboratory analysis carried out at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS). Participants included 15 adult individuals who had been residents of São Paulo for more than 5 years and underwent coroner autopsies. Exclusion criteria included previous neurosurgical interventions. Data analysis was performed in April 2024.*
***Exposure***Â –Â *The primary exposure assessed was the presence of MPs in the olfactory bulb, analyzed through direct tissue examination and digested tissue filtration followed by micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.*
***Main Outcomes and Measures***Â –Â *The main outcomes were the identification and characterization of MPs within the olfactory bulb, including their size, morphology, color, and polymeric composition.*
***Results*** -*The median age of the 15 deceased individuals was 69.5 years, ranging from 33 to 100 years, with 12 males and 3 females. MPs were detected in the olfactory bulbs of 8 out of 15 individuals. A total of 16 synthetic polymer particles and fibers were identified, with 75% being particles and 25% being fibers. The most common polymer detected was polypropylene (43.8%). Sizes of MPs ranged from 5.5 μm to 26.4 μm for particles, and the mean fiber length was 21.4 μm. Polymeric materials were absent in procedural blank and negative control filters, indicating minimal contamination risk.*
***Conclusions and Relevance***Â – *This case series provides evidence of MPs found in the human olfactory bulb, suggesting a potential pathway for the translocation of MPs to the brain. The findings underscore the need for further research on the health implications of MP exposure, particularly concerning neurotoxicity and the potential for MPs to bypass the blood-brain barrier.*
[deleted]
Yeah… I mean I think at this point we can all be in agreement that we’re all a small percentage of microplastics. Nothing can be done at this point.
[removed]
I am curious if the fiber micro plastics cause mesothelioma like fibers of asbestos.
Not good either way.
It sucks knowing that I’m losing this battle despite my best efforts
I have an air purifier on every floor of my house. I have water delivered in glass jugs that never touch any plastic ever. I exclusively use glass, wood, stainless steel, and silicone in my kitchen – even my sandwich bags are silicone as to not further contaminate food
Yet microplastics are everywhere
I truly hope they’re as harmless as most current research suggests
We don’t need any more articles like this. Just assume there are microplastics and nanoplastics in every part of your body. There is plastic in our brains, hearts, lungs, all organs, teeth, tongue, hair, nails, skin, flowing through our veins and all other body fluids, inside our spinal cords, reproductive organs, eggs and foetuses. If I forgot to list something, just assume it’s riddled with microplastic as well.
Saved you 1000 more clicks.