Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) increasing in humans as oil & gas industry plastics increase in the environment over time; found highest in the brain presenting as nanoscale shard-like fragments and “even greater accumulation…was observed in a cohort of decedent brains with documented dementia diagnosis, with notable deposition in cerebrovascular walls and immune cells.”

Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains by:

• Alexander J. Nihart,
• Marcus A. Garcia,
• Eliane El Hayek,
• Rui Liu,
• Marian Olewine,
• Josiah D. Kingston,
• Eliseo F. Castillo,
• Rama R. Gullapalli,
• Tamara Howard,
• Barry Bleske,
• Justin Scott,
• Jorge Gonzalez-Estrella,
• Jessica M. Gross,
• Michael Spilde,
• Natalie L. Adolphi,
• Daniel F. Gallego,
• Heather S. Jarrell,
• Gabrielle Dvorscak,
• Maria E. Zuluaga-Ruiz,
• Andrew B. West &
• Matthew J. Campen 

Feb 3, 2025, Nature Medicine (2025)

Abstract

Rising global concentrations of environmental microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) drive concerns for human exposure and health outcomes. Complementary methods for the robust detection of tissue MNPs, including pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, confirm the presence of MNPs in human kidney, liver and brain. MNPs in these organs primarily consist of polyethylene, with lesser but significant concentrations of other polymers. Brain tissues harbor higher proportions of polyethylene compared to the composition of the plastics in liver or kidney, and electron microscopy verified the nature of the isolated brain MNPs, which present largely as nanoscale shard-like fragments. Plastic concentrations in these decedent tissues were not influenced by age, sex, race/ethnicity or cause of death; the time of death (2016 versus 2024) was a significant factor, with increasing MNP concentrations over time in both liver and brain samples (P = 0.01).

Finally, even greater accumulation of MNPs was observed in a cohort of decedent brains with documented dementia diagnosis, with notable deposition in cerebrovascular walls and immune cells.

These results highlight a critical need to better understand the routes of exposure, uptake and clearance pathways and potential health consequences of plastics in human tissues, particularly in the brain.

…

Fig. 2: Visualization of putative plastics in the brain.

What are the cumulative harms to our brains and those in other species from our pollution, bad food production practices, diseases, etc.?

New study: Even *brief* contact with widely used weed ‘n tree killer Bayer-Monsanto’s roundup (glyphosate) can cause lasting brain damage, harms may persist long after exposure ended, and aminomethylphosphonic acid, a byproduct, accumulates in brain tissue. Is glyphosate directly causing the mystery brain illness in over 400 New Brunswickers?

New study: COVID-19 accumulates and persists in the body, especially the brain, for years.

Value your freedom and brain? Wear N95 mask around others, don’t get SARSCoV2! COVID-19 can cause alpha-synucleinopathies like lewy body dementia, Parkinson’s and multiple system atrophy (and many other harms)

Net Zero & Carbon Capture are oil & gas industry scams that help industry profit & pollute more and steal $billions from the public to finance injecting CO2 for enhanced oil recovery and to frac. Excess CO2 harms the brain and can kill quickly, it’s not a health product or “foundational nutrient” as pimped by Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock and Red Deer South constituency associations.

New research: Fossil fuel pollution irreversibly harms kids’ brains, including causing cancer. Imagine babies born into and growing up in bitumen, H2S and or frac fields (rampant in Alberta) where crews spew clouds of diesel fumes and facilities blast out mystery chemicals 24/7 for years on end as they frac and refrac and refrac. No wonder Albertans vote so stupidly.

Global warming: Human pollution caused temperature extremes linked to brain damage in kids (before they’re even born).

Humanity’s polluted planet creating plastic-brained zombies?

NEBC: Another Encana/Ovintiv sour gas leak. Sour gas damages the brain, even at low concentrations, but illegal aquifer frac’er, run away to the USA, doesn’t care about air, water, forests, neighbours, workers or communities where it leaks deadly gases, Encana just cares about getting more freebies, subsidies, and more deregulation to legalize its unlawful polluting ass.

Visualize your brain in a frac field: Air pollution spikes may impair older men’s thinking, study finds, Even short, temporary increases in airborne particles can damage brain health, research suggests

Nakoda Nation, Alberta: Engineer reported hundreds of drinking water wells contaminated with sour gas on Stoney Reserve west of Calgary. H2S is deadly, damages the brain even at low levels. AER blamed nature and if not nature, then bacteria. Same blame game polka after frac’ing contaminated drinking water wells with gas at Ponoka, Wetaskiwin, Spirit River, Rockyford, Rosebud, Redland, etc.

Colorado study shows toxic chemicals up to 2,000 feet from frac sites; Benzene (carcinogen), toluene (neurotoxin, notably damages the brain in children) and ethyltoluenes found at up to **10 times** recommended levels 500 feet from frac operations. “Secret exposure to chemicals that our own EPA reports as a potential hazard to human health is unconscionable.”

Pollution could be damaging your brain, even leading to dementia but Health Canada still not making public their 2012 damning report admitting significant health hazards and risks to groundwater and air caused by frac’ing!