EPA and HHS to Monitor Drinking Water for Microplastics and Pharmaceuticals, Addressing Health Risks
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have announced a new initiative to monitor the presence of microplastics and pharmaceuticals in drinking water. This marks the first step in assessing the potential health risks these contaminants pose and could lead to the development of new regulatory policies. The announcement was made by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., aligning with President Trump's 'Make America Healthy Again' agenda. The EPA will add these substances to the sixth Contaminant Candidate List, which will enable testing and monitoring under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This move follows a petition by seven U.S. governors and 175 environmental and health groups urging the EPA to address microplastics. Microplastics have been found in various environments, including human bodies and drinking water, and some studies suggest they may cause health issues. However, the plastic industry disputes these c... 
