State officials sign petition calling for government agency to reveal troubling information: 'Transparency is essential'

Seven U.S. governors, led by New Jersey's Phil Murphy, are pressing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take the dangers of microplastics more seriously. They recently submitted a petition urging the agency to classify microplastics as an unregulated contaminant under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

If the petition succeeds, monitoring for microplastics could begin as early as December 2026, with potential regulatory measures to follow. Governor Murphy emphasized the urgency, stating, "New Jersey is proud to lead six other states in tackling a pressing public health and environmental challenge that affects everyone. We deserve to fully understand the risks of microplastics in our drinking water."

The initiative has been strongly supported by Food & Water Watch, a nonprofit organization that spent the past year rallying governors to back the measure. High-profile leaders, including Michigan's Gretchen Whitmer and Illinois' J.B. Pritzker, have now joined Murphy in signing the petition.

Although research on microplastics is still developing, current findings indicate alarming health concerns. These tiny particles have been linked to higher risks of cancer, reproductive issues, and immune system weakening. Due to their small size, microplastics can easily contaminate drinking water, as well as food and consumer products.

Last year, Food & Water Watch, together with 175 partner organizations, petitioned the EPA to monitor microplastics in bottled drinks, packaged foods, and clothing. This latest petition builds on that effort and now awaits action from the EPA.

Governor Murphy noted that formally recognizing microplastics as a contaminant is "a critical first step" toward determining whether stricter regulations are necessary. Currently, microplastics remain unmonitored at the federal level.

Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Food & Water Watch, praised the governors' action and called on the EPA to act swiftly. "This is a significant step in collecting essential data on the emerging microplastics crisis in drinking water," Hauter said. "The public has a right to know about potential contamination in their water."

Author: Zoe Harrison