RFK Jr, EPA Chief Declare War on Microplastics Amid Growing Health Risks

HHS and EPA launch major initiatives to study microplastics' impact on public health

Apr. 5, 2026 at 8:03pm

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Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin have declared a war on microplastics, tiny bits of plastic that can persist in the environment for centuries and potentially build up in the human body, causing damage. The EPA is adding microplastics and pharmaceuticals to its Contaminant Candidate List for drinking water, while HHS is launching a $134 million national program to study microplastics' accumulation in the body. Kennedy and Zeldin say the time to act is now, even before all research is complete, citing emerging science on the potential health risks.

Why it matters

Microplastics are an emerging environmental and public health threat, with growing evidence suggesting they may cause inflammation, oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and neurodegenerative disease. By taking action now, the government aims to get ahead of the issue and protect public health, especially for vulnerable populations like children.

The details

The EPA is adding microplastics and pharmaceuticals to its Contaminant Candidate List, which will help prioritize funding and pave the way for potential future regulation. HHS is launching the Systematic Targeting of Microplastics (STOMP) program, a $134 million national initiative to study how microplastics accumulate in the human body. Kennedy and Zeldin say they are working closely under President Trump's 'Make America Healthy Again' agenda, and believe the fight against microplastics is a bipartisan issue that requires radical transparency and communication to build public trust.

  • The EPA is adding microplastics and pharmaceuticals to its Contaminant Candidate List.
  • HHS is launching the $134 million STOMP program to study microplastics' accumulation in the body.

The players

RFK Jr.

The Health and Human Services Secretary who is declaring war on microplastics and launching major initiatives to study their health impacts.

Lee Zeldin

The EPA Administrator who is working closely with RFK Jr. on the fight against microplastics, calling for more education and transparency on the issue.

Dr. Leonardo Trasande

A professor of pediatrics and population health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine who is comparing the microplastics issue to past efforts to reduce lead exposure.

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What they’re saying

“We do not have the science that distinguishes between the impacts of these different types of plastics, and maybe if we identify those impacts, the damaging ones can be immediately eliminated, because you can replace them with something else.”

— RFK Jr., Health and Human Services Secretary

“As emerging research suggests a higher risk of heart attack, stroke and neurodegenerative disease when microplastics are present at the cellular level, the time to act is now.”

— Dr. Leonardo Trasande, Professor of pediatrics and population health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine

“You want to be able to get the answers, you want to see the gold-standard science. You demand radical transparency. You're looking through the website, and it's ignoring what you came to that web page to look for. I feel like there's a communication gap – and when there's a communication gap, there's a trust gap.”

— Lee Zeldin, EPA Administrator

What’s next

The EPA and HHS initiatives will continue to study the health impacts of microplastics, with the goal of informing potential future regulations to protect public health.

The takeaway

This coordinated effort by federal health and environmental agencies to tackle the growing threat of microplastics underscores the urgency of addressing this issue before the full extent of the public health risks is known. By taking a proactive, science-based approach, the government aims to get ahead of the problem and safeguard the wellbeing of all Americans, especially vulnerable populations.