Tiny particles of plastic have been detected in the brains of mice just two hours after ingestion, a finding that could have significant implications for human health.

Since plastics began growing in popularity in the 1950s, production has soared. More than half of the plastics ever produced have been manufactured since 2000, and are present in all aspects of daily life, from clothing and food packaging to car tyres and sunscreen. 

As the plastics break down they shed microplastics and nanoplastics into the environment. Microplastics can be visible to the naked eye at 0.001mm to 5mm, while nanoplastics are less than 0.001mm.

Both enter the food chain in a variety of ways, from fish in our oceans to plastic packaging – while one study suggested a person drinking 1.5 to 2 litres of water a day from plastic bottles would ingest around 90,000 plastic particles in a year.

Nanoplastics have already been found in the human tissues and fluid including blood and the placenta, but scientists warn the presence of particles in the brain could lead to neurological disorders.

‘In the brain, plastic particles could increase the risk of inflammation, neurological disorders or even neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s,’ said co-author Lukas Kenner, highlighting the need for more research in the area.

Studies have also suggested a potential link between a number of cancers and microplastics.

The study, using tiny fragments of polystyrene, found that only nanoplastic particles entered the brains of mice, tracing them within two hours of ingestion.

The team also uncovered the mechanism by which nanoplastics breach the blood-brain barrier, an important defence against pathogens and toxins. In a simulation, they found a cholesterol coating, or ‘corona’, enhanced nanoplastic uptake, while a protein corona inhibited it.

‘To minimise the potential harm of micro- and nanoplastic particles to humans and the environment, it is crucial to limit exposure and restrict their use while further research is carried out into the effects of MNPs,’ said Kenner.

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