Your Brain on Plastic

Life-course exposure to environmental hazards and chemical pollutants such as plastic can cause accumulation of toxic substances in the body and increase the risk of developing chronic health conditions. Plastic is a particularly problematic material at every stage of its lifecycle, from the extraction of its fossil fuel feedstocks, through manufacturing, use, and disposal.  Grave environmental health hazards are created at each stage.  The health impacts have been seen in all areas of the human body, even in the brain. 

The human brain has a protective layer called the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier plays a vital role in regulating the transportation of necessary materials for brain function and protecting it from foreign substances in the blood that could damage it. Micro- and nanoplastics travel in the blood stream, pass through the blood-brain barrier, then are absorbed and retained in the brain. Once inside, plastics can lodge within individual cells, trigger inflammation, and interfere with the brain’s immune system. Microplastic levels in the human brain were 50% higher in 2024 compared to 2016.

Two major neurological diseases that show correlation to plastic exposure are Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. These two are both affected when the presence of plastic causes a disruption of normal brain function. Phthalates, routinely added to plastics to increase flexibility, and bisphenol monomers have been shown to interfere with neural activity and brain function in Alzheimer’s disease. Those who have dementia have been found to have two to five times more plastic particles embedded in their brain tissue.

Parkinson’s disease is marked by an abnormal buildup of the protein alpha-synuclein in the brain. This protein has been affected by the presence of plastic, specifically polystyrene. Polystyrene can be found in many forms - coolers, utensils, and packing materials. Polystyrene is more commonly known by the trade name, Styrofoam. Researchers found that human alpha-synuclein, one of the most abundant proteins of the nervous system, binds readily to polystyrene nanoplastics. This binding leads to the formation of abnormal alpha-synuclein structures called fibrils or Lewy bodies, a hallmark of Parkinson's disease and other related dementias. The correlation is enough to warrant global concern and with plastic production expected to triple by 2060, action must be swift.

Preventative action starts with reducing plastic production by reducing the need. The body’s primary exposure routes are ingestion and inhalation. Eliminating plastic food wrappers and plastic cutlery can help to reduce exposure. Buy items such as condiments, cosmetics, and beverages in glass containers, buy in bulk, and buy secondhand. Protect yourself and your loved ones from plastic exposure and make mindful decisions regarding the plastic that comes into your lives; it has lasting effects.

The cost of convenience is too high. Prioritize your health by reducing or eliminating plastic where you can. 

Reference:

Alahmari A. (2021). Blood-Brain Barrier Overview: Structural and Functional Correlation. Neural plasticity, 2021, 6564585. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6564585

Beyond Plastics. (2025). Plastics Have Infiltrated and May Damage Your Brain. BeyondPlastics.org

Nanoplastics may help set the stage for Parkinson's risk. (2023). National Institute of Health

Sun J, Peng S, Yang Q, Yang J, Dai Y, Xing L. Microplastics/nanoplastics and neurological health: An overview of neurological defects and mechanisms. Toxicology. 2025 Feb;511:154030. doi: 10.1016/j.tox.2024.154030. Epub 2024 Dec 7. PMID: 39653181