ChinaReplas T&P 2025 The Third Plastic Pollution Prevention and Control Theory and Practice Forum

Theme: Philosophy of Plastics

Recently, a new study published in Nature Medicine revealed that microplastics (MNPs) can not only enter the human kidneys and liver, but also penetrate into brain tissue and show an accumulation trend in the nervous system. The study was led by a team from the University of New Mexico in the United States . It was the first time that microplastics in human brain tissue were detected using high-precision analytical technology, providing direct evidence that microplastic pollution may affect human health.

Editor's Note

This study confirmed for the first time that microplastics can accumulate in the human brain and that their concentrations have increased significantly in recent years, with higher levels found in people with dementia. Although there is no direct evidence that microplastics cause neurodegenerative diseases, their deposition in blood vessel walls and immune cells may be associated with neuroinflammation and impaired blood-brain barrier function. Future research needs to further explore the ingestion pathways, metabolic processes and potential health effects of microplastics. In addition, the results suggest that we should strengthen the regulation of environmental microplastic pollution and take measures to reduce human exposure to protect public health.

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Microplastics are widely found in human organs

Microplastics refer to polymer particles with a diameter of less than 500 microns, which come from the decomposition of plastic products, cosmetics and industrial by-products. Due to their small size, these particles can enter the human body through diet, air and water, and deposit in multiple organs. Previously, researchers have found the presence of microplastics in human lungs, placenta and blood vessels, but there has been a lack of systematic research on their distribution and effects in the brain.

Summary of total MNP concentrations in all mortality samples of liver, kidney, and brain

In this study, scientists analyzed samples of remains collected in 2016 and 2024, including liver, kidney and brain tissue. They used pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and electron microscopy (SEM-EDS) and other techniques to confirm the composition and distribution of microplastics in these tissues. The results showed that compared with the liver and kidneys, the concentration of microplastics in the brain was higher, and polyethylene (PE) was the main component.

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Microplastic concentration in the brain increases year by year

Research data show that the average concentration of microplastics in brain samples in 2016 was 3345 µg/g, while the concentration in 2024 samples rose to 4917 µg/g, an increase of more than 50%. This trend is closely related to the increase in environmental microplastic concentrations in recent years. Although age, sex, race or cause of death did not significantly influence microplastic accumulation, brain and liver samples showed increased microplastic content between years, indicating that human exposure to microplastics is increasing.

Visualizing putative plastics in the brain

More concerning, the researchers found that brain samples from people with dementia had significantly higher concentrations of microplastics than normal samples. The median level of microplastics in the brains of patients with dementia reached 26,076 µg/g, several times that of normal samples. In addition, the deposition of microplastics in diseased brain tissue is mainly concentrated in blood vessel walls and around immune cells, which may be related to neuroinflammatory responses and decreased blood-brain barrier function. However, current research only reveals the accumulation of microplastics and does not directly prove a causal relationship between them and neurodegenerative diseases.

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How do microplastics enter the brain?

A key question is how do microplastics penetrate human barriers, enter the brain and accumulate? The research team speculates that microplastics may enter the brain through the following pathways:

1. Blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration : Due to the tiny size of microplastics, some nanosized particles may enter the brain through specific transmembrane mechanisms, such as phagocytosis or carrier-mediated transport.
2. Direct nasal pathway : Studies have shown that ultrafine particles in the air can enter the central nervous system directly through the olfactory bulb of the nasal cavity, and microplastics may also use a similar mechanism.
3. Absorption by the digestive system : Some microplastics may enter the digestive tract with food, be absorbed by the intestinal epithelium and transported to the brain through the blood circulation.

At present, scientists do not fully understand the metabolism and clearance mechanisms of microplastics in the human body, but this study shows that microplastics may remain in the brain for a long time and have potential effects on the nervous system.

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Future Research and Health Implications

Although this study provides important evidence, there are still many unsolved mysteries. First, the study only looked at samples from deceased patients and could not confirm the impact of microplastics on healthy individuals. Second, there is currently no direct evidence of a causal relationship between the accumulation of microplastics and neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, the research team pointed out that the current detection methods are still in their early stages, and more advanced analytical methods and larger-scale population studies are needed in the future to further explore the long-term effects of microplastics on brain health.

The researchers called for strengthening the supervision of environmental microplastic pollution, reducing the use of plastic products, and developing effective microplastic removal technologies. In addition, the public can also take measures to reduce exposure to microplastics in their daily lives, such as reducing the consumption of plastic-packaged foods, avoiding the use of personal care products containing microplastics, and choosing a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.

"Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains"

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(Source: Nature , please view the original text if necessary)

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Against the backdrop of the increasingly serious global plastic pollution problem, the environmental and health impacts of plastics and their microplastics have become the focus of academic and public attention. The research described in this article has confirmed that microplastics are not only widely present in the environment, but can also enter human tissues and even accumulate in the brain, and may be associated with neuroinflammation and impaired blood-brain barrier function. This discovery once again triggered deep thinking about the hazards of plastic pollution. However, in the theory and practice of plastic pollution prevention and control, there are still many cognitive misunderstandings and policy implementation difficulties . In order to deeply explore people's understanding of plastics and related concepts, carry out philosophical thinking about plastics themselves, and further reveal the misunderstandings and practical challenges in the current theory of plastic pollution prevention and control, the "Plastic Pollution Prevention and Control Theory and Practice Seminar" will bring together experts and scholars from home and abroad to jointly discuss the causes, impacts and governance solutions of plastic pollution, analyze the assumptions and fallacies behind related terms, and provide more scientific, rational and feasible ideas for future plastic governance.

ChinaReplas T&P 2025

The 3rd Plastic Pollution Prevention and Control Theory and Practice Forum

Conference theme: Philosophy of plastics

Sponsor: China Synthetic Resin Association

March 18, 2025 , 19:00-23:00 , Suzhou

Conference language: Chinese and English simultaneous interpretation

Conference content (continuously updated)

Part 1: The philosophy of plastic is the philosophy of man

• The relationship between human creation and natural order ● The changing role of plastics in the course of history ● Value trade-offs and choices ● Thinking about the relationship between plastic pollution, people and institutions ● Analysis of the causal chain of plastic pollution

Part 2: Plastic pollution from an economic perspective

• Wrong pricing
• No responsibility required
• Unclear property rights

Part 3: Comparison of theoretical studies on global governance of plastic pollution and philosophical reflection

• The logic behind prohibiting restrictions on alternatives
• Confusion of policy logic under the disorder of subject
• Philosophical thinking on mainstream governance solutions

Part 4: Difficulties in Practical Control of Plastic Pollution

• Philosophical basis for systemic solutions
• Clarity of responsibilities: Who should be held responsible for plastic pollution?
• Source of expenses: Who will pay for the cost of plastic pollution control?