Author: Art Hirsch
AHirsch@Terralogicss.com
Michigan legislators and leaders are ready to take action to protect Michigan ecosystems and human health from the threat of microplastics. Legislators are promoting better control and management of plastics and microplastics.
Microplastics are small plastic particles < 5mm (3/16 inch) in diameter found in Michigan waters and beaches. Microplastics and plastics are made up of carcinogenic and endocrine (hormone) disrupting chemicals.
Three Michigan Leaders Taking Action
State Representative Laurie Pohutsky (HD-17), Attorney General Dana Nessel and U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (CD-6) have voiced their concern about microplastics' ecological and human risks.
Representative Laurie Pohutsky (D, House District 17) introduced legislation (House Bill No 6122) in 2023 to ban the manufacture for sale of personal care products that contain intentionally added plastic microbeads. The bill required violators to pay $1,000 per day. This bill is consistent with the United States Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 that controls microbead usage in rinse-off hygiene products. The Michigan Legislature did not pass the bill.
Co-sponsors of the bill were Representatives Samantha Steckloff, William Sowerby, Kelly Breen, David LaGrand, Matt Koleszar, Felicia Brabec, Brenda Carter, Lori Stone, Regina Weiss, Kara Hope, Jim Haadsma, Tyrone Carter, Stephanie Young, Mari Manoogian, Christine Morse and Sue Allor.
On August 3, 2023, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined a coalition of 14 attorneys general in urging the Biden administration to adopt a more comprehensive strategy to combat the plastic pollution crisis. The attorneys general acknowledged that plastic does not fully degrade, instead breaking down into smaller pieces called microplastics, which have been found in drinking water, food, air, human blood and living lung tissue. Plastic manufacturing is highly hazardous, with the pollution burden disproportionately affecting lower income communities and communities of color.
In a letter addressed to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the coalition called on the agency to enact a more robust plastic waste management plan that would not only reduce plastic production but also our dependence on fossil fuel produced plastics which are harming our environment and contributing to climate change.
“All Michigan communities deserve to be safe from the harmful effects of plastics pollution,” Nessel said. “Our defense of Michigan’s natural resources includes protecting them from the chemicals produced by the manufacture and disposal of plastics. I stand firmly with my colleagues in asking the Biden administration for a robust plan that responds to the plastics pollution crisis and reduces our nation’s global plastics footprint in meaningful ways.”
Read more about the specific recommendations outlined by the Attorney General coalition HERE.
In the letter, the coalition urges the EPA to broaden its approach and implement aggressive interventions at every stage of the plastic waste life cycle, including measures to dramatically reduce the production of virgin plastic (i.e., new, unused plastic).
On May 12, 2023, Representative Dingell and 74 other representatives issued a letter to EPA Administrator Regan urging the use of his existing statutory authority to address the increasing microplastic pollution. The letter recognized that the average adult ingests over 320,000 microplastics per year, and microplastics induce inflammation, immune and endocrine disruption, increasing cancer risks, and effects on human reproduction.
Read the letter HERE.
Summary
Microplastic pollution is now recognized by many state and federal legislators and agency leaders as a major pollution problem that needs attention. Many legislators understand that microplastics represent an unacceptable risk to public health and the environment and are pushing the Biden Administration toward action.
The State of Michigan needs to take action to manage the microplastic pollution threat. Several actions include: 1) developing legislation toward creating a Michigan statewide Microplastic Strategy Plan based upon science and water resources management, 2) banning microplastic/microbeads in cleaning and personal hygiene products, 3) requiring industrial stormwater management controls on pre-plastic microplastics (nurdles), and 4) reducing plastic manufacturing and usage of single-use plastics via banning their use.
Michigan Sierra Club is lobbying numerous state senators and representatives towards initiating these actions to protect our vital water resources. Contact your state representatives and senators about the need for proper plastic management in Michigan. Let them know that an overall statewide microplastics strategy is needed.