Reps. Tlaib, Watson Coleman introduce Monitor Microplastics Now Act

Reps. Tlaib, Watson Coleman introduce Monitor Microplastics Now Act

Today, Reps. Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced the Monitor Microplastics Now Act to direct the Environmental Protection Agency to monitor harmful microplastics and nanoplastics in drinking water. Microplastics are linked to a wide range of health problems, including heart disease, stroke, impaired kidney and liver function, and Alzheimer's disease.

In July, the EPA published the draft of the sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, which lists 30 chemicals to monitor under the Safe Drinking Water Act, but it excludes microplastics and nanoplastics. The EPA has refused to justify the exclusion of microplastics, despite being lawfully required to do so after a petition from seven governors from Michigan, New Jersey, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Wisconsin, and Connecticut. The bill directs the EPA to correct the list and include these harmful contaminants.

"Our public health is suffering because the EPA refuses to listen to science," said Rep. Tlaib. "Our government should be transparent about microplastics' harms and levels of exposure, but instead the EPA is putting corporate profits before our health and safety. The Monitor Microplastics Now Act listens to the nearly 80% of Americans who want immediate action to address the dangers of microplastics."

"Microplastics are poisoning our water, our earth, and our bodies," said Rep. Watson Coleman. "The failure to monitor, manage, and regulate microplastics may have consequences for generations. I'm grateful to work with Rep. Tlaib to introduce the Monitor Microplastics Now Act to finally put us on the road to ensuring our children and grandchildren have the healthy and safe environment they deserve."

"We are all breathing and swallowing small pieces of plastic known as microplastics or nanoplastics. They have been found in our lungs, kidneys, bloodstream, testicles, the human placenta, and breast milk," said Judith Enck, former EPA Regional Administrator and President of Beyond Plastics. "Scientists have determined that some microplastics cross the blood brain barrier and contribute to Alzheimer's disease. To make things worse, chemicals are in the plastics. The time has come to stop conducting this unauthorized human experiment and adopt new policies that reduce the exposure to microplastics."

"The unchecked rise of microplastics pollution is one of the gravest environmental and public health problems facing this country today. Yet, despite the urging of states, environmental and public health organizations, and thousands of people across the country, the EPA is refusing to even monitor for microplastics in drinking water," said Mary Grant, Water Policy Director of Food and Water Watch. "We desperately need serious federal action to save lives from the endless flood of plastic invading our water, air and environment. We thank Reps. Tlaib and Watson Coleman for their leadership to introduce the Monitor Microplastics Now Act, a pivotal step in beginning to ensure that people are protected from microplastics."

"Microplastics are contaminating our nation's drinking water and have been found throughout the human body," said Rachel Bustamante, Policy Manager at Plastic Pollution Coalition. "We applaud Representatives Tlaib and Watson Coleman for introducing the Monitor Microplastics Now Act to help uncover the extent of this pollution. Our lawmakers already know enough to act and must follow this legislation with meaningful measures to reduce plastic pollution and safeguard our drinking water."

The Monitor Microplastics Now Act is also cosponsored by U.S. Reps. Maxine Waters (CA-43), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), André Carson (IN-07), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-at large), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), and Janelle Bynum (OR-05).

The bill is also endorsed by 61 organizations: Food & Water Watch, Beyond Plastics, Corporate Accountability, Ecology Center, The 5 Gyres Institute, Greenpeace USA, Oil and Gas Action Network, Great Lakes Business Network, Alliance for Democracy, Plastic Pollution Coalition, Michigan Microplastics Coalition, Zero Waste Detroit, Michigan United, Turtle Island Restoration Network, People's Water Board Coalition, Southwest Detroit Community Benefits Coalition, Breathe Free Detroit, The Big Love Network, Animals Are Sentient Beings, Inc., Flow Water Advocates, Change Begins With ME, Terra Advocati, 350 Bay Area Action, Inner City Neighborhood Art House, Don't Waste Arizona, The Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Cherokee Concerned Citizens, Sheffield Saves, Don't Gas The Meadowlands Coalition, Waterspirit, PSR Arizona, Seaside Sustainability, Santa Cruz Climate Action Network, Beyond Plastics Louisville, Topanga Peace Alliance, MLK Coalition of Greater Los Angeles, North East Metro Climate Action, FoCo Trash Mob, Auburn Reduces, Beyond Plastics Queens, Save Our Sodus, WESPAC Foundation, Inc., Indivisible Santa Cruz County, The Cleanup Club, Climate Reality Project - NJ, Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, Earth Ethics, Inc., Coalition to Protect New York, Vote Climate, Church Women United in New York State, 350 Colorado, Moveon.org HobokenRESIST!, League of Women Voters of Indiana County, Concerned Citizens of Indiana County, Kentucky Waterways Alliance, Sisters of St. Dominic, Sisters of the Divine Compassion, Sisters of Charity of New York, 100grannies.org, and People Over Petro Coalition.

Read the full bill here.