Guardian

A bombshell: doubt cast on discovery of microplastics throughout human body

Nature

Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains

Levels of microplastics in human brains may be rapidly rising, study suggests

SpringerLink

Response on the commentary by B. Wilhelmus, M. Gahleitner, and M. A. Pemberton, on the manuscript by M. Brits, M.J.M. van Velzen, F.. Sefiloglu, L. Scibetta, Q. Groenewoud, J.J. Garcia-Vallejo, A.D.

Challenges in studying microplastics in human brain

NEJM

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Academic

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ACS Publications

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Dusan (Matt) Materic

Reply to: Challenges in studying microplastics in human brain

Sciencedirect

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So our bodies arent full of microplastics after all?

A February 2025 study published in Nature Medicine reported that microplastic and nanoplastic concentrations in human brain tissue may have increased by approximately 50% between 2016 and 2024, with brain samples showing substantially higher concentrations than liver or kidney tissue.

A February 2025 study published in Nature Medicine reported that microplastic and nanoplastic concentrations in human brain tissue may have increased by approximately 50% between 2016 and 2024, with brain samples showing substantially higher concentrations than liver or kidney tissue.

Scientists published a formal challenge to the brain microplastics study in November 2025, stating the research "appears to face methodological challenges, such as limited contamination controls and lack of validation steps, which may affect the reliability of the reported concentrations."

Scientists published a formal challenge to the brain microplastics study in November 2025, stating the research "appears to face methodological challenges, such as limited contamination controls and lack of validation steps, which may affect the reliability of the reported concentrations."

The original study used pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze tissue samples from postmortem human liver, kidney and brain specimens collected from the University of New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator between 2016 and 2024.

The original study used pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze tissue samples from postmortem human liver, kidney and brain specimens collected from the University of New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator between 2016 and 2024.

Critics argue that fat in human tissue can produce false positives for polyethylene in the analytical technique used, noting that brain tissue contains approximately 60% fat while liver contains approximately 5%, potentially explaining the tenfold higher plastic readings in brain samples.

Critics argue that fat in human tissue can produce false positives for polyethylene in the analytical technique used, noting that brain tissue contains approximately 60% fat while liver contains approximately 5%, potentially explaining the tenfold higher plastic readings in brain samples.

The study's senior author Matthew Campen stated that "most of the criticism aimed at the body of work to date has been conjectural and not buffeted by actual data" and acknowledged "numerous opportunities for improvement and refinement" in the analytical methods.

The study's senior author Matthew Campen stated that "most of the criticism aimed at the body of work to date has been conjectural and not buffeted by actual data" and acknowledged "numerous opportunities for improvement and refinement" in the analytical methods.

A January 2025 review concluded that pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry "is not currently a suitable technique for identifying polyethylene or PVC due to persistent interferences," with researchers identifying 18 studies that did not consider risks of false positives from tissue fats.

A January 2025 review concluded that pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry "is not currently a suitable technique for identifying polyethylene or PVC due to persistent interferences," with researchers identifying 18 studies that did not consider risks of false positives from tissue fats.

Brain Microplastics Study Faces Scientific Challenge

Brain Microplastics inStudy bodyFaces Scientific Challenge

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Brain Microplastics Study Faces Scientific Challenge

Brain Microplastics inStudy bodyFaces Scientific Challenge

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