Urges EPA to adopt drinking water standard for microplastics and nanoplastics.

Senate Resolution 99, introduced by Senators Bob Smith and Linda Greenstein, urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish drinking water standards for microplastics and nanoplastics. The resolution does not create new law but formally requests the EPA adopt standards similar to its recent PFAS chemical regulations, noting the agency has not addressed these plastic particles despite a 2019 petition by over 280 environmental groups. It highlights that microplastics (tiny plastic particles under 5mm) and nanoplastics (even smaller particles under 1 micrometer) are increasingly found in water, food, and air, with potential health impacts like inflammation and cellular damage. The resolution is transmitted to the EPA Administrator and New Jersey’s environmental agency as a legislative expression of concern.