Despite knowing the hazards of polluting water with plastic, people can’t seem to stop. Now, a new research has shown that this plastic can be a cause of brain damage for fishes.

Researches from The Lund University examined the tiny plastic particles known as nanoplastic particles. They discovered that the particles can be transported from one sea animal to another, for instance from an algae to animal plankton to a fish. The nanoplastic particles are eaten up animal planktons in water which are then eaten by fish.

Researcher Tommy Cedervall said, “Our study is the first to show that nanosized plastic particles can accumulate in fish brains.”

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Nanoplastic can go through the blood-brain barrier in fish and gather together inside a fish’s brain tissue, which in turn leads to brain damage and behavioral disorders. Fishes start to eat slower and discover their environment less, according to Science Alert.

The study showed another result of this nanoplastic that animal plankton die due to them whereas, larger plastic particles did not affect them. These nanoplastics, as a result, affect the entire ecosystem.

As per Phys.org, Cedervall explained, “It is important to study how plastics affect ecosystems and that nanoplastic particles likely have a more dangerous impact on aquatic ecosystems than larger pieces of plastics.”

However, it is still not shown in the study whether these nanoparticles could affect human or not if they eat the fishes. “No, we are not aware of any such studies and are therefore very cautious about commenting on it,” said Cedervall.