Commodities / NEWS UPDATE
The 50-Year-Old Microplastics Warning That Has Come Back to Haunt the Industry
Published · 1 min read
In 1974, the plastics industry learned about the dangers of microplastics from a German scientist, Gerhard Volkheimer, at a New York Academy of Sciences meeting.
Industry attendees, alarmed by the information, documented their concerns. Similar to the delayed responses to leaded gasoline and chlorofluorocarbons, the plastics industry is expected to take at least 50 years to address microplastic health risks, despite evidence of harm. The industry is currently attempting to shift the burden of proof to the public.