Page 30 - Plastics News September 2022

Microplastics Problems and Solutions

Baca points out that, in addition to
recommending additional scientific re-
search and work on standardized test
methods, the WHO recommended the
following measures to prevent entry of
plastics into the environment…

• Improve the economics and quality
of plastic recycling.
• Curb plastic waste and littering.

• Drive innovation and investment
toward circular solutions and sus-
tainable manufacturing practices to
decrease the input of waste to the
environment.
Microplastics may be one of the thorni- of action. Of course, doing anything will
est topics faced by the plastics industry appear by many to be an admission of • Engage in international initiatives
in 2022 and into the foreseeable future. guilt, rather than good stewardship.” to minimize and eliminate plastic
waste.
As with many pressing issues of the day, One of the plastics industry’s most pro-
there’s a sharp contrast in viewpoints. active groups, the American Chemistry “We agree,” says Baca. “Plastics produc-
“There’s little agreement as to how seri- Council, takes the issue very seriously. ers, take questions about microplastics
ous an issue microplastics represents,” The ACC’s Joshua Baca, VP, Plastics seriously. The ACC is helping to under-
offers sustainable packaging expert Division, oversees strategic programs to take key research on microplastics, lead
Robert Lilienfeld, Executive Director advance a science-based policy agenda, an internationally coordinated research
of SPRING, The Sustainable Packaging national outreach, and sustainability framework, and coordinate a global
Research, Information, and Network- initiatives on behalf of America’s leading research network though the Interna-
ing Group. “There are two schools of plastics makers. tional Council of Chemical Associations
thought here, as usual: The scientific ap- (ICCA). Additionally, ICCA developed
proach that there is little to no evidence He points to a “long awaited” report on and published a risk assessment frame-
of harm — at least as of yet — and the microplastics and human health released work for microplastics, and ACC sup-
unscientific approach that all microplas- on August 30 by the World Health Or- ports application of this risk framework
tics are bad, regardless of their ubiquity.” ganization (WHO) (“Dietary and inha- to better understand and address poten-
lation exposure to nano- and microplas- tial risks.”
Given the media messaging and visu- tic particles and potential implications
als surrounding the issue, it would be for human health”). Additonal research to address micro-
assumed that plastic bottles or related plastics.
packaging would be the main source of “Based on the state of the science, the According to Baca, the global chemical
these materials. WHO did not find the basis to conclude industry has launched a multifaceted re-
there is a risk to human health from mi-
That would be incorrect, according to croplastics, though it did make a series search initiative to answer key questions
Lilienfeld. “Tires seem to make up a vast of research recommendations,” Baca ex- and advance scientific understanding of
majority of microplastics followed by plains. “A similar conclusion was reached microplastics to human health and the
synthetic fibers washed out after laun- by the Science Advice for Policy by Eu- environment.
dering.” ropean Academies (SAPEA) regarding “This important work will develop
He offers a blanket solution. “Reducing potential effects to the environment in standardized sampling protocols and
litter both on land and in bodies of wa- 2019 (A Scientific Perspective on Micro- testing materials, examine environmen-
ter would appear to be the best course plastics in Nature and Society).” tal fate and potential routes of exposure

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