Microplastics Can Cause A Decrease In Cognitive Functions

JAKARTA - Faculty Specialist at the University of Indonesia Hospital (RSUI) dr. Pukovisa Prawirohardjo, Sp.S (K), Ph.D said microplastics in the human body can cause a decrease in cognitive function.

"Those who have a high exposure to microplastics are 36 times more vulnerable to cognitive disturbances than those who do not," said Pukovisa Prawirohardjo in the research discussion "Hidden Pollution: The Unseen of Microplastics", in Jakarta, Sunday, (23/2).

This was revealed from his research in collaboration with Greenpeace Indonesia.

In the research, it was also revealed that respondents who found microplastics were more at risk of experiencing cognitive disturbances compared to respondents with microplastics found in fessess and urine.

"It turns out that the influential (microplasticity in) blood, but it makes sense, because the blood will enter the brain later. Microplasticity in the blood is more at risk of experiencing cognitive impairment with a risk rate of 1.5 times more vulnerable than those who are not exposed," he said.

He further said that PET-type microplastics found in blood are at higher risk of experiencing a decline in cognitive function.

"We are also examining the type of microplastic. The PET microplastic is found in the blood, he is at risk about three times for cognitive disturbances," said Pukovisa Prawirohardjo.

His research also revealed that microplastics were found in the bodies of respondents who claimed to be rarely exposed to microplastics.

"What's surprising is actually our findings, those who previously filled the quasioner, who felt the consumption was low or the exposure was low. It turned out that 90 percent of them (found microplastics in the body)," said Pukovisa Prawirohardjo.