New research of the impact of microplastics on mice suggests that these small particles could induce behavioural changes.

Microplastics could be as widespread in the body as they are in the environment, according to a new study.

Researchers exposed mice to different levels of microplastics through drinking water and studied the impact of the plastics on organs and behaviour.

Microplastics are small plastic particles that are less than 5 mm long and come from larger plastic that has broken down, such as clothing, tyres and other items.

In the study published in the International Journal of Molecular Science, the authors found that the small plastic particles accumulated in every tissue they examined, including deep in the brain tissue.