6. Plastics and the Brain

Ben Addelman and Ziya Tong’s evocative documentary Plastic People covers a range of the impacts of plastic pollution on our bodies. Professor Dick Vethaak states that not only do microplastics affect the health of animals, plants and the environment, but also our own health - if one component is affected by microplastics, it also affects the health of humans.

According to Vethaak, this impact on human health includes a higher probability of cancer development later in life as well as low grade inflammatory responses. Chronic inflammation is one of the biggest killers and is a prelude to many chronic diseases. Once plastic is in the blood, it can be transported to any other organ or tissues, to the bone marrow and to the brain.

Dr Sedat Gündoğdu, Professor at Cukurova University, researches the blood-brain synthesis of plastics. He found that plastic can transfer from blood cells into the brain, meaning that there is no barrier or limitation for the pervasion of plastics in the body. The brain is the “end point” in the human body where, if plastic reaches, it will simply “accumulate.” Plastics, not native to the brain, will have a big impact and cause changes.

Microplastics in the brain pose a risk to the defences available in the blood-brain barrier, which is an evolutionary barrier protecting our brain and nerves from damaging substances in the blood (Dr Emrah Çeltikçi). Neurons need ideal conditions in which to function, and if these conditions are disrupted, neurons cannot work. Microplastics in the brain could cause inflammation, disrupt the working capabilities of neurons and cause neurodegenerative disease.

Plastics, once inside the body, are transferred to the “unborn generation,” and it’s not clear yet the extent to which this will damage the future of our human race. It’s time to make changes to protect the next generation.

Read our next blog to find out more about Plastics Solutions: Case Studies…