Attorney General Jennifer Davenport is leading a coalition of states calling for stronger federal monitoring of microplastics amid growing concerns about potential health risks.
New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport is urging federal regulators to take additional action on microplastics in drinking water, leading a coalition of states in support of expanded research and nationwide monitoring efforts. The request comes as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers future regulations involving contaminants that may pose risks to public health.
Key Points
• New Jersey and 14 other jurisdictions are urging the EPA to expand monitoring of microplastics in drinking water.
• Officials praised the EPA for adding microplastics to its list of contaminants prioritized for research.
• State leaders say more data is needed to better understand potential health risks, especially for children.
Davenport announced Friday that New Jersey submitted a comment letter supporting the EPA’s decision to include microplastics on its latest Contaminant Candidate List, a roster of substances identified for further study under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The list is updated every five years and helps determine which contaminants may require future federal regulation.
State officials said the inclusion of microplastics is an important step toward understanding how widespread the particles are and what impact they may have on human health.
States Seek Expanded Testing
While applauding the EPA’s action, the coalition is asking the agency to go further by adding microplastics to the upcoming Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 6. The program would allow the EPA to collect nationwide data on the presence and frequency of microplastics in public drinking water systems.
Governors from New Jersey, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Wisconsin, Michigan and Connecticut previously petitioned the EPA in late 2025 to include microplastics in the monitoring program. The proposed rule is currently under White House review and is expected to be finalized later this year.
Concerns Over Health Effects
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles measuring less than five millimeters in diameter and are found throughout the environment, including in water, air and soil. Researchers have increasingly focused on their potential health impacts due to their widespread presence and ability to accumulate over time.
According to state officials, exposure to microplastics can occur through drinking water, food consumption and inhalation. Studies have detected microplastics in numerous human organs and tissues, including the brain, prompting concerns about long-term health consequences.
Children Face Higher Exposure Risks
The coalition’s letter emphasizes that infants and children may be particularly vulnerable to microplastic exposure. Researchers have found evidence that exposure can begin before birth, with microplastics detected in placental tissue, amniotic fluid and cord blood.
Officials cited studies linking microplastic exposure to developmental concerns, respiratory issues, inflammation and other potential health effects. They argued that expanded federal monitoring would provide critical information needed to guide future regulatory decisions and public health protections.
Joining New Jersey in the effort are the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin, along with the District of Columbia.
