A shocking 27 million tons of nanoplastics found in the North Atlantic, now detected in human brains and moving up the food chain.
Nanoplastics found in North Atlantic
A recent study by Dutch scientists has discovered that the North Atlantic contains 27 million tons of nanoplastics—tiny particles smaller than one micrometer that were previously undetectable. These particles are now found in human brains and are moving up the food chain to human consumption.Study led by Utrecht University researcher
Sophie ten Hietbrink, a doctoral student at Utrecht University, led an expedition across the North Atlantic, collecting water samples at twelve strategic points. Her molecular analysis revealed the presence of nanoplastics, which are less than one micrometer in size.Multiple sources of nanoplastics
The origin of these nanoplastics is multifaceted. Some are transported via rivers from continents, while others fall from the sky with precipitation, indicating atmospheric contamination. Additionally, these particles are formed by the degradation of existing plastic waste in the ocean, broken down by waves and solar radiation.Nanoplastics found in human brains
Geochemist Helge Niemann, a co-author of the study, stated that nanoplastics can penetrate deeply into human bodies, even being found in brain tissues. This brain contamination represents a significant threshold in the history of human pollution, with health consequences still largely unexplored.Nanoplastics pose long-term environmental threat
Scientists acknowledge that the effects of nanoplastics are largely unknown, but initial signs are alarming. Researchers emphasize that unlike macro-waste, which can still be collected, nanoplastics cannot be eliminated from the environment. They have become an integral part of the terrestrial biosphere.Need to stop new plastic pollution
This reality necessitates an immediate halt to new plastic pollution, as every additional gram of plastic released into the environment will eventually contribute to this invisible contamination. The discovery, reported in Nature, raises concerns about the impact of this invisible pollution on terrestrial ecosystems and human health.
