Scientists are beginning to understand the impact tiny plastic particles have on human health. However, documents from chemical companies reveal that industry scientists have known for decades about the risks of microplastics migrating beyond the gut and depositing in organs.
Back in 1974, a German gastroenterologist presented findings on microplastics at a New York City scientific meeting. His study showed for the first time that such particles could infiltrate the body beyond the digestive system. Though largely overlooked by government scientists, the research alarmed industry scientists. An executive described it as a ‘horror story’.
Gerhard Volkheimer, the Berlin researcher, found that tiny PVC particles could pass through the intestinal lining, reaching the brain, liver, and more. Matthew Campen, a researcher at the University of New Mexico, relates this to any small particle like polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET, found in the human body. These have associations with heart disease, inflammation, and cancer.
Tracey Woodruff, a professor at Stanford University, notes these documents show a long-standing awareness among chemical companies, akin to knowledge about pollutants like asbestos. A chemical industry spokesperson argues that ongoing scientific debate is not silence, and that efforts to advance microplastics research are underway.
In 1974, a meeting was convened by toxicologist Irving Selikoff, focusing on an urgent issue: rare liver cancer cases among PVC factory workers. The conference included leading figures from industry and science. Philip Landrigan, a renowned microplastic researcher, attended and recalls the urgency of the meeting.
Volkheimer’s research highlighted that ingested solid particles move beyond the gut into other body parts. Since the 1950s, he demonstrated this using various particles, including PVC. His findings indicated that these particles could reach areas as significant as the cerebrospinal fluid and placenta. Caffeine, nicotine, and sleep accelerated this movement.
After Volkheimer’s presentation, internal discussions within the plastic and chemical industries continued for decades. Documentation in archives from UC San Francisco and ToxicDocs highlights the industry’s ongoing concern about microplastics and their implications. Companies like Shell and Firestone took note, calling the research a ‘horror story’.
For decades, these concerns remained internal, though Volkheimer’s findings were utilized in pharmaceutical research to improve drug absorption understanding. By the 1990s, this research had influenced product design but still lacked widespread public health attention.
Recently, the focus on microplastics has renewed due to growing environmental concerns. Despite industry objections, recent studies have found microplastics in blood, breast milk, and other tissues. The conversation about their health risks continues, with efforts to regulate their presence in water in places like California. Volkheimer’s early research now seems prescient in today’s context of pervasive plastic particles.