NCSL Applauds New Federal Microplastic Efforts

NCSL Applauds New Federal Microplastic Efforts

• Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
  U.S. Department of Health
  and Human Services
  200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
  Washington, D.C. 20201

• Administrator Lee Zeldin
  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  Office of the Administrator, 1101A 
  1200 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.
  Washington, DC 20460

Secretary Kennedy and Administrator Zeldin:

On behalf of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), the bipartisan organization representing the legislatures of our nation's states, territories, and commonwealths, we write to applaud your April 2, 2026, joint announcement of new coordinated federal efforts to address microplastics. NCSL, through our Microplastics Research Resolution, has long supported increases in federal research efforts on microplastics.

NCSL is hopeful that the new Department of Health and Human Services' Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health's Systematic Targeting of Microplastics (STOMP) program, will help improve our nation's understanding of the impacts of microplastics on human health. We are also pleased that this nationwide initiative aims to strengthen public health by developing resources to measure and study microplastics and nanoplastics in humans and their removal.

Furthermore, NCSL hopes that the Environmental Protection Agency's inclusion of microplastics as a priority contaminant group in the EPA's draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL6) will help expand research into and funding for addressing microplastics as a drinking water contaminant and help protect American drinking water systems.

As the EPA considers future national drinking water standards for contaminants included on the CCL, NCSL offers its assistance in facilitating intergovernmental communications as the EPA works with states to establish comprehensive water testing programs that recognize the potential of contaminants based upon source, storage and delivery. NCSL, through our Water Policy Directive, calls on the EPA to ensure that any new federal mandates are fully funded to help ensure adequate state implementation and that any new mandates afford states the appropriate and necessary flexibility and authority to prioritize activities based on individual state public health needs. Furthermore, NCSL encourages the EPA to continue establishing new contaminant management programs that will ensure safe drinking water for Americans and the protection of human health.

If you have any questions regarding NCSL's microplastic priorities, please do not hesitate to contact NCSL staff Ben Nasta, Senior Legislative Director at [email protected] or 202-624-3597. If you have any questions regarding NCSL's health priorities, please do not hesitate to contact NCSL staff Lauren Kallins, Senior Legislative Director, at [email protected] or 202-624-8170.

Sincerely,

Enclosures

Microplastics Research Resolution
Water Policy Directive

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