What is the main finding of the study on microplastics in New Mexico brains?

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The study found an increase in microplastics in human brain tissue over time.

A study published in Nature Medicine analysed brain tissue samples from 28 individuals who died in 2016 and 24 who died in the subsequent year in New Mexico. The research indicated a rise in the quantity of microplastics detected within these samples over the observed period. Lead researcher Matthew Campen estimated that approximately 10 grammes of plastic could be isolated from a donated human brain, a quantity he likened to an unused crayon.
Increase in Microplastic Accumulation

The research specifically examined brain tissue collected from two distinct groups of deceased individuals in New Mexico. Samples from those who passed away in 2016 were compared with those from the following year. This temporal analysis revealed a discernible increase in the presence of microplastics across the samples, suggesting an ongoing accumulation process.
Estimated Plastic Volume in Brains

Toxicologist Matthew Campen, the study's lead researcher, provided a quantitative estimate of the microplastic burden found in the brain tissue. He suggested that researchers were able to isolate around 10 grammes of plastic from a single donated human brain. To contextualise this amount, Campen compared it to the size of an unused crayon, offering a tangible reference point for the scale of the findings.
Comparison to a Plastic Spoon

Further elaborating on the quantity of microplastics detected, Campen also conveyed that the amount found in the brains was equivalent to that of a plastic spoon. This comparison, shared with the media, aimed to provide a more relatable understanding of the microplastic presence within the human brain samples analysed in the New Mexico study.

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What is the main finding of the study on microplastics in New Mexico brains?

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