WASHINGTON (Aug. 6, 2025) – Today the Plastic Health Research Act, was introduced in the House of Representatives. The following may be attributed to Kimberly Wise White, Ph.D, vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs at the American Chemistry Council (ACC):
“ACC applauds Reps. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., and Frank Lucas, R-Okla., for the introduction of bipartisan legislation to strengthen the body of science on microplastics: the Plastic Health Research Act (PHRA).
“This legislation is critical to better understanding microplastics through credible and replicable research. Despite the many headlines on microplastics, there are still significant questions about the sources and formation of microplastics and whether they impact human health and the environment.
"The PHRA takes a comprehensive approach to a cross-cutting issue. Given the diverse sources of microplastics and the ongoing questions about their potential impacts to health and the environment, it's essential that federal efforts engage the full range of agencies and third-party experts to ensure no critical expertise or perspective is left out.
“Across the globe our industry has supported and is collaborating with more than 100 scientists who are conducting research on microplastics using testing protocols and methods that are reproducible and can be compared with other studies. This legislation will accelerate our knowledge of microplastics by also funding methodologically sound and verifiable research that the public and policymakers can rely on to make decisions that are grounded in science.
“Many of the recent news stories on microplastics have focused on research of insufficient quality that draws inappropriate conclusions. Fortunately, this legislation will help scientists, policymakers, and the public distinguish between meaningful findings and misinformed distractions.
“ACC wholeheartedly appreciates the leadership of Reps. Stevens and Lucas for introducing this vital legislation. We strongly urge the House and Senate to pass this bill swiftly and President Trump to sign it into law."
