Year: 2024 | Month: July-September | Volume: 9 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 401-420
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20240349
Assessing the Impact of Microplastics on Brain Chemistry: The Need for a Comprehensive Policy Framework to Mitigate Toxicity
Parmeshwari Ruparel1
1Student at NES International School Mumbai.
ABSTRACT
Microplastics are pervasive pollutants that enter ecosystems and the human body. This review examines and synthesises the specific impact of microplastics on brain chemistry, exploring how exposure through ingestion and inhalation can affect neurological function and overall health, due to the growing evidence linking microplastic exposure to adverse biological effects, including neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation, which may pose significant risks to human health. The conclusions indicate that microplastics, once in the human body, can cross biological barriers and accumulate in brain tissue, leading to changes in neurotransmitter systems and cognitive impairments. The findings suggest that understanding the mechanisms of microplastic-induced neurotoxicity is crucial for assessing the long-term health implications. This review also highlights the need for regulatory measures to limit microplastic pollution and calls for further research on its effects on human neurological health.
Keywords: Microplastics, Bioaccumulation, Biomagnification, Brain Chemistry, Neurotoxicity, Regulatory Measures.