Hidden toxins poisoning our brains

Garcia showing a plastic toy that was collected from a Hawaii beach. — Gabriela Campos/The New York Times

IN a dimly lit basement laboratory at the University of New Mexico, Marcus Garcia dug through a bin overflowing with plastic detritus – cracked water bottles, frayed fishing nets, a child’s toothbrush, a faded Pokemon mug.

“Yes!” he exclaimed, brandishing a cracked pipette tip, its once-pristine plastic yellowed by years of sun and saltwater.