Impact of Marine Microplastics on Neurologic and Functional Disabilities: A Population-Level Study

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Neuroscience
• Public Health

Background:

• Microplastics are recognized environmental pollutants with suspected neurotoxic properties.
• The link between microplastic exposure and neurological disabilities is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between marine microplastic levels and the prevalence of various disabilities.
• To explore the relationship between microplastic pollution and cognitive, mobility, self-care, and independent living disabilities.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study analyzed data from 218 US coastal counties.
• Prevalence of self-reported disabilities was compared between counties with very high and very low marine microplastic levels (MMLs).
• Population-weighted quasi-Poisson regression models were used to calculate prevalence ratios (PRs).

Main Results:

• Counties with very high MMLs showed higher mean prevalence for cognitive (15.2%), mobility (14.1%), self-care (4.2%), and independent living (8.5%) disabilities.
• Adjusted analyses revealed significantly elevated PRs for all disability types in high MML counties.
• Elevated PRs were observed for cognitive (1.09), mobility (1.06), self-care (1.16), and independent living (1.08) disabilities.

Conclusions:

• A significant association exists between marine microplastic pollution and county-level disability prevalence.
• Findings suggest potential health impacts of microplastic exposure on cognitive and physical functioning.
• Further research is needed to understand individual-level health effects and inform environmental mitigation strategies.