Prof. Dr. Ulrike Felt from the University of Vienna explains how a revolutionary material became an environmental challenge and what it teaches us about responsible innovation.

When plastic first emerged as a groundbreaking material, it was heralded as a miracle of modern science. Lightweight, durable, and adaptable, it revolutionized industries, from medicine to food packaging, and became a symbol of progress. But what was once a technological triumph is now an urgent environmental and public health concern. In her recent lecture “Mikroplastik – Der lange Schatten einer bahnbrechenden Innovation” (Microplastics – The Long Shadow of a Groundbreaking Innovation), Professor Dr. Ulrike Felt, a leading researcher in Science and Technology Studies at the University of Vienna, explored how innovations like plastic can create unexpected, far-reaching consequences - and why we often fail to recognize them in time.

Held on February 17th, 2025 at 19:00 at the ORF Radio Kulturhaus, her talk was part of the Wiener Vorlesungen, a public lecture series organized by the City of Vienna. The event was streamed live, and a recording is available here (in German).

The Plastic Boom: A Dream That Became a Dilemma

Dr. Felt took the audience on a journey through the history of plastic. From the first synthetic polymer, Bakelite, developed in the early 20th century, to the explosion of plastic production after World War II, she illustrated how plastic became deeply embedded in our society. The material was seen as a triumph of human ingenuity - clean, convenient, and indispensable to modern life.

However, as Dr. Felt pointed out, the warnings about plastic’s potential dangers were already there, but largely ignored. By the 1960s and 70s, concerns about pollution and waste began to surface. In 1972, one of the first scientific papers documenting small plastic fragments in the ocean was published in Science. Yet it took another 30 years before the term microplastics gained widespread attention, thanks to the work of marine biologist Richard Thompson in 2004. Even then, the true scale of the problem remained underestimated.

Microplastics: A Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight

Fast forward to today, and microplastics are everywhere - in our oceans, air, soil, and even inside our bodies. Dr. Felt highlighted that, until recently, research primarily focused on microplastics in the environment. It wasn’t until 2015 that studies on their impact on human health began to increase significantly. This lag in scientific attention, she argued, mirrors a broader issue in how we approach innovation: we celebrate technological breakthroughs but often fail to anticipate their long-term consequences.

The Imptox project, which investigates the health risks of micro- and nanoplastics, is part of a growing effort to close this critical research gap. Scientists from 12 European institutions, including the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna, are working to understand how MNPs enter the human body, interact with biological systems, and what risks they may pose to our health. A key focus of their research is whether exposure to microplastics contributes to the development or worsening of allergic diseases - an urgent question that remains largely unanswered.

The Innovation Paradox: Can We Learn From Past Mistakes?

Dr. Felt’s talk was not just a reflection on the past but a call to rethink how we handle innovation today. She warned against the mindset that technological advancement must always come first, arguing that innovations should be assessed not only by their immediate benefits but also by their long-term impact.

This raises pressing questions for emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, social media platforms and new materials, among others. How do we ensure that the potential risks are considered before mass adoption? Who decides what trade-offs are acceptable? And how can we amplify the voices of those who raise concerns early on, so that history does not repeat itself?

The microplastics crisis is a stark reminder that progress without foresight can lead to unintended consequences. By fostering a culture of responsible innovation, we can better anticipate and mitigate future risks - ensuring that technological advancements truly serve society in a sustainable way.