Maryland Attorney General Joins Call for Increased EPA Scrutiny of Microplastics in Drinking Water

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has joined a coalition of 13 other state attorneys general in submitting a formal comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The letter urges the agency to enhance its monitoring and study of microplastics, particularly their presence and impact within public drinking water systems. This collective action follows a previous petition initiated by several governors last fall, highlighting growing concerns about these pervasive environmental contaminants.

The attorneys general’s submission specifically advocates for the inclusion of microplastics on the EPA’s Contaminant Candidate List (CCL). The CCL serves as a critical mechanism for identifying substances with potential public health implications that are found in public water systems and may warrant future regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The CCL is updated every five years, and its inclusion of microplastics would facilitate a deeper understanding of their effects on human health. Furthermore, the group of attorneys general supported a petition from seven governors, including Maryland’s Governor Wes Moore, which requested that microplastics be added to the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR). The UCMR is expected to be finalized by the end of 2026, and its inclusion of microplastics would enable the EPA to collect data directly from public water systems nationwide regarding the prevalence of these particles.

Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters in diameter, present a unique challenge to public health due to their widespread distribution and persistence in the environment. Infants and children are identified as being particularly vulnerable to microplastic exposure, beginning even before birth and continuing through various avenues such as diet, feeding equipment, toys, and inhalation. Research increasingly suggests that microplastics can negatively impact human health. Exposure pathways are numerous, with drinking water being a significant route. Beyond direct harm, microplastics can also act as carriers for other harmful chemicals, potentially introducing them into the body. Documented health concerns linked to microplastic exposure include respiratory problems, inflammation, and adverse developmental effects in children, including impaired fetal growth. Despite these known risks and evidence of their presence in drinking water, comprehensive data on the prevalence, characteristics, and concentration of microplastics in the nation’s drinking water systems remains limited.

The comment letter was spearheaded by New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport. In addition to Attorney General Brown, the letter was co-signed by the attorneys general from California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The collective effort underscores a broad, bipartisan concern among states regarding the potential risks posed by microplastics to public health and the environment.

The inclusion of microplastics on the CCL and UCMR would represent a significant step toward addressing this emerging environmental and health issue, allowing for more informed regulatory decisions and public health protections.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office.

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