JAMA Netw Open

Microplastics detected in human olfactory bulb for the first time

September 18, 2024

This study provides evidence of microplastics (MPs) in the human olfactory bulb, highlighting the need for further research on their health implications, especially regarding neurotoxicity and their ability to bypass the blood-brain barrier.

Study details and results

• The case-series study analyzed olfactory bulb tissues from 15 deceased individuals, ages 33 to 100, who had lived in São Paulo, Brazil for over 5 years.
• MPs were found in the olfactory bulbs of 8 out of 15 individuals, with 75% being particles and 25% fibers. The most common polymer detected was polypropylene (43.8%).
• Sizes of MPs ranged from 5.5 μm to 26.4 μm for particles, and mean fiber length was 21.4 μm. No polymeric materials were found in control filters, indicating minimal contamination risk.

Source:

Amato-Lourenço LF, et al. (2024, September 3). JAMA Netw Open. Microplastics in the Olfactory Bulb of the Human Brain. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39283733/