Protect Washington from Microplastic Pollution
Microplastics have been found in our drinking water, food, air, soil, wildlife, and even human blood, placentas, lungs, and other tissues. While scientists work to understand the full extent of their impacts on human health, emerging evidence raises serious concerns about inflammation, cardiovascular disease, reproductive health, child development, and other potential health effects. Plastics are a product of the fossil fuel industry, which exacerbates climate change and threatens the very air we breathe.
As health professionals, scientists, patients, parents, and community members, we believe Washington should take a precautionary approach to reducing exposure to microplastics and protecting public health. Washington can be a leader in protecting people and our environment. Add your name and urge state leaders to monitor, reduce, and prevent microplastic pollution.
We urge Washington’s leaders to:
Monitor microplastics in drinking water and the environment - Expand efforts to understand where microplastics are entering our environment, drinking water systems, food supply, and communities. Washington should better understand where microplastics are being found and how people are being exposed.
Reduce major sources of microplastic pollution - Advance practical solutions that reduce pollution from synthetic textiles, food-contact plastics, packaging, and other significant sources of microplastic contamination.
Keep microplastics out of farmland and food systems -Improve wastewater and biosolids management to reduce the spread of microplastics into agricultural soils and fertilizers.
Support research on health impacts and exposure pathways - Invest in independent research to better understand how microplastics affect human health and identify effective ways to reduce risk.
Put public health at the center of plastic policy - Ensure that public health considerations, environmental justice concerns, and the needs of future generations are incorporated into state decisions regarding plastic pollution.
Ban single-use plastic items - bags, utensils, and packaging.
Washington has made progress on plastic bag bans and should extend these efforts further.
Require monitoring of Microplastics in drinking water systems.
There aren’t any statewide standards for measuring Microplastics levels in Washington’s water supply.
Mandate microfiber filters in all new washing machines.
Legislation was introduced in Washington in 2026 but did not pass - renewed support is needed.
Mandate stronger filtration in water treatment facilities for agriculture.
Washington mandated PFAS testing in biosolids in 2025. Microplastics filtration standards are next.
Reduce plastics and chemical additives in medical settings.
Patients undergoing treatment are among the most vulnerable - this is a solvable problem.
