EPA and HHS Pledge to Address Threat of Microplastics, PFAS to Health and Drinking Water Safety

Growing concerns that microplastics – tiny plastic particles found in human bodies and the environment – are toxic to human health led the EPA today to identify microplastics as a contaminant of concern in drinking water for the first time. Toxic PFAS and pharmaceuticals were also identified as priority contaminants. Yet, just two weeks ago, EPA announced that it will not issue health standards for any of the drinking water contaminants on its official list.

The following are reactions from NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) experts:

“There is good reason to be concerned about toxic PFAS and microplastics in drinking water, but the EPA’s actions speak louder than its words. The Trump EPA is trying to scrap key PFAS standards and just two weeks ago said it wouldn't issue any new protections for toxins in drinking water. So, which is it?

"Just dumping a load of new pollutants into the purgatory of EPA’s long list of dangerous chemicals in drinking water without issuing new standards will do nothing to remove toxic chemicals from the tap water in millions of Americans’ kitchen sinks,” said Erik D. Olson, Senior Strategic Director of Health.

“The only real way to limit harm to human health and the environment from microplastics is to reduce plastic use and production. Every piece of plastic on the planet today will break down into microplastics. Hoping for some kind of technological fix, while more plastic makes it into our blood and brains, will give a green light to ongoing contamination of generations of people.

“Consider the example of lead. Trying to get lead out of kids’ bodies doesn’t work. The right health solution was to remove lead from paint, and gas, and to replace lead water pipes, to avoid exposure before the damage is done. We need to curb our dependence on plastics before they do more damage to our bodies and the world around us.” said Renee Sharp, Director of Plastics and Petrochemical Advocacy.

Background on Microplastics:

Microplastics are everywhere in our environment. These tiny and sometimes microscopic particles of plastic are present in our air, water, soil, and food; in lakes, rivers, and oceans; even at the top of Mount Everest. Microplastics are also in our bodies, with scientists finding them everywhere from the human heart and brain to testes and placentas. There is a growing concern that microplastics could be harming ecological and human health, in particular digestive, reproductive, and respiratory systems.

There is a growing and highly concerning body of scientific evidence that microplastics are toxic to human health. These microscopic particles of plastic and chemicals have been found in human blood, testicles, and major organs. One study found that a plastic spoon’s worth of microplastics could be present in the human brain.

The plastic industry is aggressively expanding its footprint, even as the harms associated with microplastics come into focus. Annual production of plastic continues to grow exponentially and is expected to nearly triple over the next four decades. The growing use of plastics means microplastics and the thousands of chemicals associated with them will continue to be released into the environment.

Resources:

• Microplastics Deluge: How These Small Plastic Particles Harm Our Health and the Environment (PDF)
• 10 Things You Can Do to Reduce Your (and Your Family's) Exposure to Microplastics (PDF)
• Toxic Drinking Water: The PFAS Contamination Crisis
• EPA Seeks to Roll Back PFAS Drinking Water Rules, Keeping Millions Exposed to Toxic Forever Chemicals in Tap Water
• PFAS Litigation: American Water Works Association et al. v. EPA