Industry Knew: Microplastics and Their Journey in the Human Body

Scientists are now acknowledging that the full impact of microplastics on human health is only beginning to be understood. Small plastic particles are ingested through food, water, and air. Surprisingly, chemical company documents have revealed that industry scientists were aware of these issues for decades. These documents show concern regarding microplastics migrating beyond the gut into critical organs since at least 1974. The history traces back to a scientific meeting held at a New York City hotel where German gastroenterologist Gerhard Volkheimer presented findings demonstrating that tiny plastic particles could penetrate intestinal linings in animals and disperse throughout the body, reaching vital organs like the brain and liver.

Volkheimer’s research highlighted a physiological process called persorption, showing that small particles could enter the bloodstream and lodge in essential tissues. Despite the stark implications, his work, presented in a scientific paper to professionals, escaped the scrutiny of government scientists but caused ripples among company researchers. Documents show that executives described these findings as a ‘horror story.’ Matthew Campen, a leading microplastics researcher at the University of New Mexico, corroborated that this movement applies to various small, impermeable plastic particles like polyethylene and PET.

The concern was how it affected human health. Internal documents uncovered by The Times reveal the plastics industry possessed knowledge of this potential danger for at least fifty years. These particles have associations with health conditions such as heart disease, inflammation, and cancer. Experts like Tracey Woodruff from Stanford University have commented on the similarity to other industry cover-ups where pollutants like asbestos and tobacco were hidden while accumulating in human tissues.

However, industry representatives like Craig Davis from the American Chemistry Council argue against the notion of silence, stating debates over scientific evidence advance policies. The chemical industry’s trade group also cited initiatives supporting independent research and enhancing scientific investigations on microplastics.

A Seminal Meeting in New York

The year 1974 was pivotal, drawing attention to the effect of chemical pollutants. Irving Selikoff, a prominent toxicologist, organized a meeting at the New York Academy of Sciences. The assembly intended to address workplace concerns and was spurred by emerging liver cancer cases in workers exposed to vinyl chloride at a Kentucky factory operated by B.F. Goodrich. This substance was previously deemed safe and widely used in food packaging and other items.

With new agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency still in formative stages, they lacked the workforce and research capability to address this evolving threat. Esteemed professionals and representatives from businesses like Dow Chemical and Shell Oil gathered, signaling realization about potential public health implications.

Volkheimer’s presentation reiterated the potential for plastic particles consumed to cross intestinal barriers, reaching vital areas such as cerebrospinal fluid and even breast milk. As scientists from varying global backgrounds attended, reactions within industry circles recounted in various corporate memos exposed internal acknowledgment of the risks associated with microplastics.

This was evidence that although Volkheimer’s work was initially dismissed, it found recognition within pharmaceutical spheres, particularly when considering how medicines absorbed in the body. Researchers, only since 2018, began extensively studying microplastics’ presence in human bodies.

Industry Reactions and Scientific Advances

Industry documents show continuous references to Volkheimer’s work well into the 1980s and 1990s. This internal dialogue highlights concerns that persisted over decades regarding the safety of plastics in consumer products. Despite industry skepticism, findings about microplastics in human blood, tissues, and critical areas like the brain have propelled debates on necessary policy advancements.

Notably, modern research into microplastics surged when discoveries in 2018 indicated their presence in feces. Studies have since identified these fragments in various body sites. Under these circumstances, California enacted laws addressing microplastics in drinking water, and nationwide, regulatory initiatives are emerging.

The historical awareness, contrasted with burgeoning contemporary research, challenges stakeholders to evaluate and address these longstanding contamination and health concerns. The conversation continues as evidence accumulates globally, spotlighting how ubiquitous plastic pollution might equate to environmental challenges yet unresolved from past decades.