Nanoplastics or polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) are extremely small pieces of plastic that can be found in products and throughout the environment. This includes water bottles, tissues, processed food, oceans, lakes, and even glaciers. These nanoplastics carry potential risks to both humans and the environment in which they pollute. They have been detected in different organs and tissues of the body, specifically the brain. Consequently, there is a growing concern about the impact these nanoparticles have on our neurological development and function. Interestingly, nanoplastics carry toxins which can disrupt cellular function and cause inflammation. Nanoplastics have also been shown to increase heart attacks and strokes. Exposure can occur through inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact. Scientists and physicians recommend reducing use of single-use plastics, choosing natural fibers for clothing, and avoiding microwaving food, and washing plastic in hot water.
The gradual degradation of larger plastics over time generates a buildup of nanoplastics that inhabit different areas of the body, which can cause health problems. Currently, it is unclear how much of an impact nanoplastics make in our overall health. More work is currently underway to understand the biological influence of nanoplastics over time. Recently, an article in the Journal of Hazardous Materials: Plastics, by Dr. G.P Davey and others, have discussed their recent work done on nanoparticles in the brain. Davey is an Associate Professor of Biochemistry in the School of Biochemistry and Immunology at Trinity College Dublin. He also has a secondary appointment as faculty at the Trinity institution of Neuroscience. Davey’s work focuses on Neuroscience and Glycobiology investigating proteins that direct the immune system and how cells generate and use their energy in different disease contexts. He has published in high impact journals and is internationally known for his work on cell biology and their ability to make energy.
Davey and others discovered that nanoplastics disrupt the metabolism in brain cells. Metabolism is the process in which cells make energy to carry out function and other activities. The production of energy is critical for a cell’s viability and can become dysregulated in different pathologies, like cancer. The metabolic disruption in brain cells implicates nanoplastics in neurodegenerative diseases, which result in a decline in neurological function. Davey and the team used laboratory techniques and various models to learn more about nanoplastics in the body. Researchers found that nanoparticles work in cells to inhibit the electron transport chain, which directly generates energy for the cell. Importantly, they found that low concentrations of nanoparticles in the brain could impair bioenergetic function. Nanoplastics were also found to disrupt the ability for neurons to communicate, interfering in fundamental abilities to learn and memorize.
The rise of synthetic plastics has correlated to a higher exposure to nanoplastics. As a result, the buildup within our bodies due to exposure have long-term implications on human health. Davey and his team have identified a possible cause for rising rates in neurodegenerative diseases in the last few decades. Overall, this work highlights the need to better understand how plastic pollution can affect neurological function and provides the public with suggestions to reduce nanoplastic exposure.
Article, Journal of Hazardous Materials: Plastics, G.P Davey, Trinity College Dublin