Plastic Health Research Act

The Plastic Health Research Act aims to significantly expand and coordinate federal research into the potential health effects of plastic exposure by amending the Public Health Service Act. This includes exposure to macroplastics, microplastics, and nanoplastics through various pathways such as production, environmental contact, and consumer interaction. The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with agencies like the EPA and FDA, is mandated to lead these efforts. A core provision authorizes the Secretary to award grants and contracts to public, nonprofit, and academic entities for scientific research on plastic exposure and its health impacts. This research will prioritize developing reproducible methods, standard definitions for microplastics and nanoplastics, and validated testing methodologies to fill existing knowledge gaps. Annual reports to Congress on research findings and information sharing among relevant federal agencies are also required. Furthermore, the Act establishes Centers of Excellence for Plastic Exposure Health Research , providing grants to institutions to conduct and improve scientific research and increase public awareness. These centers will focus on developing standard material definitions, enhancing research quality, and conducting hazard and risk assessments related to plastic exposure, with $10,000,000 authorized annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to support both the centers and general research grants.