Can microplastics invade the brain in just 2 hours? Reminder: Don’t give these items to children

A recent study on microplastics has thrown a huge rock into my peaceful heart, causing ripples. The study found that microplastics, tiny plastic particles that are difficult to detect with the naked eye, can cross the blood-brain barrier and invade the human brain in just two hours. This news is undoubtedly a wake-up call for each of us, especially for children. Just last week, an anxious mother brought her five-year-old daughter to my clinic. The little girl has always seemed listless, distracted, and her academic performance has declined recently. The mother is worried that her daughter's health is in trouble. After a detailed physical examination and consultation, although no clear cause was found, I noticed a detail in the little girl's life that cannot be ignored: her room is full of various plastic toys, and her tableware is mostly made of plastic. This reminds me of the shocking microplastic study.

Microplastics, this seemingly insignificant existence, has actually spread all over the world.

They come from plastic waste in our daily lives, such as plastic bags, plastic bottles, synthetic fiber clothing, etc.

These plastic products gradually break down during use, forming tiny particles that enter our living environment through wind, water and the food chain.

Children are more vulnerable to microplastics because their bodies are not yet fully developed and their immune systems are relatively weak. In addition, they often put toys in their mouths, making them more vulnerable to microplastics.

So, how should we protect our children from the threat of microplastics?

Here are some practical suggestions:

Choose safe toys and tableware: Try to choose wooden, bamboo, silicone or stainless steel toys and tableware for your children to reduce the use of plastic products.

Avoid single-use plastic products: Try to use reusable shopping bags, water bottles and cutlery to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic products.

Pay attention to the material of your clothes: choose clothes made of natural fibers, such as cotton and linen, and avoid wearing synthetic fiber clothes because they release microplastics during the washing process.

Strengthen the cleaning of indoor and outdoor environments: Regularly clean the air purifiers and air conditioning filters in your home to reduce the concentration of microplastics indoors.

At the same time, keep the outdoor environment clean and reduce the generation of plastic waste.

Raise public awareness: Through education and publicity, raise public awareness of the hazards of microplastics and encourage everyone to take actions to protect the environment and health.

At the end of the article, I would like to share some knowledge about microplastics:

Microplastics can enter the human body through the food chain, especially seafood may contain more microplastics.

Microplastics not only pose a threat to human health, but also have serious impacts on the ecological environment, such as accidental ingestion of marine life and destruction of habitats.

Currently, scientists are still studying the exact impact of microplastics on human health, but existing studies have shown that they may be related to neurological diseases, immune system responses and other problems.

Reducing microplastic pollution requires global efforts. Every link is crucial, from reducing the use of plastics at the source of production to environmentally friendly choices at the consumer level.

In addition, I would like to emphasize the following points:

Personal protection: Although microplastics are everywhere, we can reduce the possibility of inhaling microplastics by wearing masks, using air purifiers, etc.

Importance of scientific research: We need more scientific research to reveal the specific impacts of microplastics on human health in order to develop more effective prevention and control measures.

Policy support: The government and relevant departments should introduce corresponding policies and regulations to restrict the production and use of plastic products and promote the research and development and application of degradable materials.

Global cooperation: Microplastic pollution is a global problem that requires joint efforts from all countries, sharing of scientific research results, and joint response to environmental challenges.

As a doctor, I know the importance of health and I feel a great sense of responsibility. I hope that through this article, more parents will be aware of the harm of microplastics and take positive measures to protect their children's health. At the same time, I also call on all sectors of society to work together to reduce plastic pollution at the source and create a healthier planet for us and future generations. Thank you for reading. If you think this article is helpful to you, please don't forget to like and collect it. Your support is our motivation to continue sharing health knowledge. Let us work together to create a healthier society.