WTAS: HHS, EPA Announce Historic Actions to Protect Americans from Microplastics and Safeguard Drinking Water

Joint initiative marks first-ever inclusion of microplastics on EPA's Contaminant Candidate List and launches groundbreaking ARPA-H program to detect and remove plastics from the human body

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin today announced landmark, coordinated actions to address microplastics contamination, one of the most urgent and growing public health challenges facing Americans. The announcements, made at a press conference at EPA headquarters, represent a major step forward in President Trump's commitment to Make America Healthy Again.

Headlines
Doctors & Scientists
Advocates & Organizations
Influencers & Members of the Media

Headlines:

• Fox News: HHS, EPA Announce War on Microplastics - Exclusive Interview with Dr. Marc Siegel
• Reuters: US agencies to monitor drinking water for microplastics, pharmaceuticals
• USA Today: RFK Jr. takes action on microplastics, PFAS in water.
• CBS News: HHS announces $144 million program to study effect of microplastics on the human body
• CBS Mornings [CLIP]: The Environmental Protection Agency has added microplastics to its priority list of pollutants for the first time
• ABC News [CLIP]: EPA to Study Microplastics in Drinking Water
• The New York Times: E.P.A. Targets Microplastics and Drugs in Drinking Water
• The Washington Post: EPA moves to designate microplastics and pharmaceuticals as contaminants in drinking water
• Fox News: RFK Jr Launches $134M+ National Program To Study Microplastics In The Human Body, Drinking Water
• The Wall Street Journal: EPA Wants to Prioritize Microplastics, Pharmaceuticals as Water Contaminants
• AP News: EPA moves to designate microplastics and pharmaceuticals as contaminants in drinking water
• NPR: EPA flags microplastics, pharmaceuticals as contaminants in drinking water
• Bloomberg: EPA Will Study Safety of Microplastics, Drugs in Drinking Water
• The Guardian: EPA moves to designate microplastics and pharmaceuticals as contaminants in drinking water
• Los Angeles Times: Federal health and environmental agencies to study microplastics and pharmaceuticals in drinking water
• NBC News: EPA takes first step to regulate microplastics in drinking water
• Daily Wire: Trump Admin Announces Major Steps Countering Big Pharma And Microplastics
• Washington Examiner: EPA proposes listing microplastics and antidepressants as water contaminants
• The Hill: EPA proposes studying microplastics for potential drinking water limits
• Newsmax: EPA Moves to Designate Microplastics, Pharmaceuticals as Contaminants in Drinking Water
• OANN: RFK Jr. Declares war on Microplastics: HHS launches MAHA offensive to purge ‘Forever Particles’ from U.S. water supply and bodies
• NewsNation: EPA to monitor drinking water for microplastics, pharmaceuticals
• MedPage Today: EPA May Include Microplastics and Pharmaceuticals as Contaminants in Drinking Water
• NOTUS: EPA Heeds MAHA’s Call to Classify Microplastics, Antidepressants as Drinking Water Contaminants
• STAT: EPA to put microplastics on study list of contaminants in drinking water
• Scientific American: RFK, Jr., and EPA announce plan to track microplastics in tap water and humans
• Daily Caller: Trump Admin Declares War on Microplastics in Drinking Water
• The National Pulse: MAHA: Microplastics, Pharmaceuticals Listed as Contaminants in Water Supply for First Time.
• The Epoch Times: RFK Jr. Announces Investigation Into Removing Microplastics From the Human Body
• NTD: RFK Jr. Announces $144 Million Plan to Target Micoplastics
• Plastics News: MAHA wants Trump to halt new plastic plants, limit microplastics
• The Week: EPA puts microplastics, drugs on tap water list
• KFF Health News: HHS To Examine Health Effects Of Tiny Plastic Particles That Leach Into Water
• Chemical & Engineering News: US government targets microplastics for research and potential drinking-water regulation
• Center Square: Groups react to HHS, EPA flagging microplastics for further study
• E&E News: EPA eyes tracking microplastics, medicines in tap water
• Food Safety Magazine: EPA Adds Microplastics, Pharmaceuticals, PFAS to Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List
• ClimateChangeDispatch: Trump Admin Declares War on Microplastics in Drinking Water
• National News Desk: Study finds that 62 placentas tested had microplastics in them
• WKZO: US agencies to monitor drinking water for microplastics, pharmaceuticals
• Fox 45 Baltimore: HHS Secretary Kennedy announces launch of program to understand, remove microplastics

Doctors & Scientists:

• Yale University Department of Environmental Health Sciences Chair, Vasilis Vasiliou, via The New York Times: “This is encouraging...”
• Gannon University Researcher, Dr. Sherri Mason, via NPR: "This is an important first step, and I think we should recognize that...”
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chair of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Rebecca Fry, via NBC News: “The fact that we don’t monitor for it [microplastics] means that there’s data that’s missing...This will allow us to have new information, and new information is always good.”
• Brown University Dean of Public Health, Dr. Ashish Jha, via NewsNation: “It's a good thing for everybody. Microplastics are associated with more heart strokes, all sorts of bad health outcomes. If we can figure out how to lower the amount of microplastics that people getting their bodies, that is going to be a good thing… I see this as a positive action.”
• Columbia University Clinical Professor of Ob/Gyn, Samuel Badalian, M.D, Ph.D., via X: “EPA moves to limit microplastics, pharmaceuticals in drinking water.”
• Dr. Will Cole (@drwillcole) via X: “This is the most significant microplastic reduction strategy in history. As someone who has looked tens of thousand of people’s labs around the country, it is SHOCKING how many have these toxins in their body impacting their hormones, inflammation, heart health, immune system, gut health and fertility.”
• Dr. Kaan Yılancıoğlu (@drkaanyl), translated via X: “The US has declared war on microplastics! Microplastics are accumulating in nearly every organ in the human body! Brain, Blood, Breast milk, Placenta, Testicles, Heart, Liver, Kidneys! Moreover, microplastic accumulation has also been linked to both cancer and damage to the reproductive, digestive, and respiratory systems.”
• Dr. Steven Quay (@quay_dr) via X: “What's the big deal with microplastics? Because they correlate with strokes, heart attacks, and death! Patients with microplastics in blood vessels had a 450% increase in these events. Funded by @NIH & others. Thanks to @HHSGov, @RobertKennedyJr, @NIHDirector_Jay”
• Tom Oliverson, M.D. (@TomOliverson) via X: “Microplastics have officially entered the room. My service on the Environmental Regulation Committee in the Texas House just got more interesting….”

Advocates & Organizations:

• The American Public Health Association CEO, Georges Benjamin, via The Center Square: “Ensuring the safety of the water supply is a core public health responsibility. We are pleased to see the administration paying more attention to microplastics in particular.”
• The American Chemistry Council Vice President of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs, Kimberly Wise White, Ph.D., via press release: “People want clear answers on microplastics, and any drinking water monitoring program must address several existing hurdles, including developing clear definitions, ensuring adequate lab capacity, and standardizing sampling and testing methods to be used consistently across the country. ACC and its member companies stand ready to share their expertise with EPA and HHS as this work moves forward.”
• The Consumer Brands Association Vice President of Regulatory and Technical Affairs via The Center Square: “We support continued strong, science-based federal initiatives and are committed to partnering with the administration to advance policies grounded in sound science.”
• MAHA Action (@MAHA_Action) via X: “RFK Jr. has announced that HHS and the EPA will launch a major initiative to investigate how microplastics are damaging human health. “We can’t treat what we cannot measure. We cannot regulate what we don’t understand.” “We are launching STOMP, which stands for Systematic Targeting of Microplastics.” “It’s a $144 million national program to measure, understand, and remove microplastics from the human body.”
• MAHA Action (@MAHA_Action) via X: “RFK Jr. just shared alarming data on microplastics found inside the human body that every American needs to hear. ‘Plastic has become embedded in modern life. It’s also become embedded in the human body.’”
• Children’s Health Defense (@ChildrensHD) via X: “WARNING: ‘Researchers have detected microplastics in human blood, lung tissue, liver, kidneys, and human placentas.’ RFK Jr. just shared data on microplastics in humans that should terrify people.”
• National Cotton Council via press release: “The National Cotton Council commends today’s announcement by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. outlining new actions to advance research and public health efforts related to microplastics in drinking water and the human body.NCC is encouraged by EPA’s decision to designate microplastics as a priority contaminant group in its draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List, as well as HHS’s new program, STOMP: Systematic Targeting Of MicroPlastics, to create the definitive toolbox for measuring, understanding, and addressing microplastic exposure and its potential health effects.”
• National Cotton Council Chairman, Nathan Reed, via press release: “We appreciate Administrator Zeldin, Secretary Kennedy, and the Trump administration for advancing science-based efforts that can help protect American families and inform future policy. As policymakers and researchers continue to examine the sources and effects of microplastics, we are optimistic this work can further highlight the value of natural fibers like cotton in the products people use every day…We look forward to working with EPA, HHS, and the administration to support practical, science-based solutions.”
• America First Policy Institute (@A1Policy) via X: “Big move for clean water! EPA Administrator @LeeMZeldin says the EPA will now treat microplastics & pharmaceuticals as priority contaminants... for the first time in history!”
• ConservAmerica President, Rob Sisson (@Rob_Sisson), via X: “Microplastics, imho, is the greatest environmental threat facing humans today. Thank you @epaleezeldin!”
• The Plastic Pollution Coalition Managing Director, Jen Fela via The Center Square: “We appreciate the investment in more research about how microplastics affect our bodies and our health…”
• Natural Resources Defense Council Senior Strategic Director of Health, Erik D. Olson, via Chemical & Engineering News: “There is good reason to be concerned about toxic PFAS and microplastics in drinking water…”
• Beyond Plastics President and former EPA regional administrator, Judith Enck, via Reuters: “...an important first step.”
• Kyrsten Sinema, former United States Senator for Arizona (@kyrstensinma), via X: “This is fantastic news!”

Influencers & Members of the Media:

• Vani Hari via The New York Times: “This is what the Make America Healthy Again movement is about: identifying the hidden chemical exposures that are contributing to chronic disease and finally bringing them into the regulatory process...You can’t regulate what you don’t officially track, and now microplastics and pharmaceuticals are officially on the federal government’s radar for drinking water.”
• Alex Clark (@yoalexrapz) via X: “REALLY cool news coming out of the EPA. A MAHA win we should all be hype about!!”
• Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) via X: “BREAKING: Health Sec. RFK Jr. just announced the Systematic Targeting of MICROPLASTICS nationwide — a program to surge the ability to REMOVE microplastics from the human body. HUGE!”
• Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) via X: “JUST IN: RFK Jr. announces the creation of STOMP, a new national program designed to ‘measure, understand, and remove microplastics from the human body.’ Make America Healthy Again!”
• Lara Logan (@laralogan) via X: “This is what it feels like to have people in power who are willing to do the right thing for the right reasons. The American people deserve to know the truth and to be protected. We read about microplastics, we worry for our children & four ourselves & we wonder why on earth no one with the power to change this says anything - so we doubt. Then you have an historic moment like this one & it restores a measure of your faith. Not all of it - we have too far to go - but at least it shows there are good people willing to take on the system, no matter how they are attacked. When I see the nature & breadth of the attacks right now, I recognize the signs of information warfare. Sometimes the comments are too similar, sometimes they too quick, sometimes they don’t make sense or they’re unnecessarily vulgar - you never know if it is an operative or a bot or a paid shill - maybe all of the above - designed to incite others with the hope of creating a ground swell. It doesn’t really matter. When they marshall resources against you it means you are effective enough to warrant that investment of time, money etc. It means they are worried - & they should be. They are losing to God and to the truth.”
• Gunther Eagleman (@GuntherEagleman) via X: “BOOM! Lee Zeldin just CONFIRMED EPA is cracking down HARD on microplastics, pharmaceuticals, forever chemicals & dozens more contaminants in our drinking water. Another MASSIVE MAHA win!”
• Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) via X: “RFK Jr: Microplastics are now inside human blood, lungs, liver, kidneys, and placentas. The brain alone has a spoonful of plastic inside it! Talk about plastic life. Today, HHS + EPA are launching a $130M program. The goal? Measure, understand, and remove them from our bodies. This is the first serious government move against microplastics. Let the fight begin.”
• Anna Matson (@AnnaRMatson) via X: “HHS and the EPA have turned their attention to microplastics…it’s about time. Microplastics have been found all throughout the human body and we still don’t know exactly how this is affecting our health. This announcement will help limit microplastics in drinking water, measure them in the human body, and study how to remove them.”
• Right Side Broadcasting Network (@RSBNetwork) via X: “WATCH: RFK Jr. Speaks on the Dangers Microplastics Pose to the Human Body”
• One America News (@OANN) via X: “HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr has announced the launch of STOMP, Systematic Targeting Of MicroPlastics. The program is meant to measure, understand, and remove microplastics from the human body."
• Nurse Kate John (@Nursekatejohn) via X: “Microplastics are contributing to catastrophic cardiac events and the reduction and the overall fertility rates in the United States. They must be taken seriously as a health hazard. This action by the @EPA is a first step.”
• Johnny MAGA (@johnnymaga) via X: “RFK Jr. just announced a $144M program to study and ultimately remove microplastics from humans. For the first time ever, the federal government is working to stop the proliferation of these environmental toxins. This is a massive win for MAHA.”
• Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) via X: “RFK JR: ‘In a study of 62 placentas, every single sample contained microplastics — evidence that exposure begins before birth.’”
• MJTruthUltra (@MJTRuthUltra) via X: “RFK Jr announces STOMP, ‘Systematic Targeting of MicroPlastics’... with the aim to measure, to understand, and to remove microplastics from the human body.”
• Unusual Whales (@unusual_whales) via X: “RFK Jr announces the launch of STOMP: Systematic Targeting Of MicroPlastics — a national program to measure, understand, and remove microplastics from the human body.”
• Polymarket (@Polymarket) via X: “JUST IN: RFK Jr. Announces EPA & HHS will begin monitoring microplastics and pharmaceuticals in drinking water.”
• Vittorio (@IterIntellectus) via X: “What great news! microplastics have been found in every human brain, placenta, and testes sample tested. linked to heart attacks, cancer, fertility collapse, neuroinflammation the federal government committed $144 million to doing something about it not the finish line but the first real step. MAHA just made the most important public health decision in years.”
• Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) via X: “BREAKING Secretary Kennedy announces the launch of STOMP: Systematic Targeting Of MicroPlastics — a national program to measure, understand, and remove microplastics from the human body."
• Gregory Latham Jr (@B7grWinning) via X: “Credit where credit is due and here is some good news... @SecKennedy is going after microplastics and he’s managed to get the EPA to work with him to go after microplastics. Another great #MAHA move.”