If plastic was made in 1907 how do they know it may take up to 1000 years to decompose?

Question

If plastic was made in 1907 how do they know it may take up to 1000 years to decompose?

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

They don’t. It’s bullshit. A small piece of plastic exposed to harsh sunlight might decompose in a few months. A large block at the bottom of a lake might last a million years. Any scientific statement that includes the phrase “may take up to” isn’t scientific at all.