A new study has found that micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) can reach the brain in just a few hours after being consumed. The research was conducted by a team of scientists from Austria, the US, Hungary, and the Netherlands, who discovered that plastic particles may be able to breach the blood-brain barrier, a protective layer that blocks toxins and other undesirables. The particles could increase the risk of inflammation, neurological disorders, or neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. The research is important in advancing understanding of the harmful effects of MNPs and highlights the need to restrict their use while further research is carried out.
Source: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/13/8/1404