EPA: Monitor for Microplastics!

Microplastic contamination poses a significant health risk, yet the EPA doesn't monitor for microplastics in drinking water.

EPA recently announced a proposal to add microplastics to the Sixth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL6). This is a small, initial step in the regulatory process under the Safe Drinking Water Act, but it’s insufficient on its own. EPA must also take the next step and add microplastics to the Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR6).

Send a message to EPA: Monitor for microplastics to keep our water safe!

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I support your decision to add microplastics to the Sixth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 6), and I urge you to do more to protect people from these dangerous contaminants. The EPA must actually monitor for microplastics in drinking water by also including microplastics on the Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) issued pursuant to the Safe Drinking Water Act. Plastic pollution is everywhere, including in our drinking water. It’s estimated that each year, the average person consumes 4,000 or more microplastic particles from drinking water. Microplastics consumption presents a significant health risk, including links to an increased risk of cancer.

We know enough about the possible health risks to not just list microplastics on the CCL 6 but to also include them on the UCMR 6. Microplastics can accumulate in cells, tissues, and organs, causing damage to cell walls and leading to early cell death. Studies have found microplastics are associated with intestinal inflammation, increased risks of heart attacks and strokes, and reproductive harm. On top of this, microplastics may be coated in toxic chemicals and can even adsorb additional toxic compounds, including PFAS.

That’s why Food & Water Watch filed a legal petition in November 2024, urging the EPA to begin to address this huge problem by including microplastics on UCMR 6. In late 2025, then-New Jersey Governor Murphy led a petition of seven governors making a similar request. Through the UCMR, EPA develops a monitoring program for up to 30 unregulated contaminants in drinking water every five years. Microplastics should be one of the contaminants on UCMR 6, due to be finalized by the end of this year.

You must grant these petitions for microplastics monitoring and include microplastics on the UCMR 6. People have a right to know if their water is contaminated with microplastics.

The inclusion of microplastics on the CCL6 is an initial step in the right direction, but it is insufficient on its own. Please also include microplastics in the Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule to help pave the way for future regulation to keep our drinking water safe!

Sincerely,
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Sincerely,
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