Today, over 50 Washington environmental, climate, and public health groups – in conjunction with Food & Water Watch – sent a letter to Governor Ferguson calling on him to sign a petition demanding the federal government monitor microplastics in our water. Groups include local green groups, Indivisible chapters, the League of Women Voters, the Seattle Aquarium, and Point Defiance Zoo.

Microplastics are a widespread presence – especially in our drinking water – and pose a major threat to our health. They are currently unregulated and unmonitored at the federal level. 

However, a clause in the Safe Drinking Water Act says that if seven governors petition the EPA to monitor a specific contaminant, the agency must add it to a monitoring list. The letter calls on Governor Ferguson to add his name to the petition.

Research by Puget Soundkeeper, University of Washington, and the Seattle Aquarium all point to rising levels of microplastics in local waterways, especially Puget Sound. Researchers at Portland State University found that microplastics are contributing to the death of native sea stars in Washington. 

“While Washington has made some great strides to address plastic pollution, much more needs to be done at the federal level to protect Washington’s residents from microplastics,” said Thomas Meyer, Strategic Organizing Projects Director for Food & Water Watch. “This is a perfect opportunity for Governor Ferguson to be a leader in pushing our federal government to address the health impacts of microplastics in our drinking water”. 

“Microplastics are contributing to an increased burden of disease in our state and across the country,” said Adam Lough, MHA, Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility. “That increase in disease burden drives up the cost of healthcare for all players in the industry. Tracking microplastic contamination in our water is a necessary first step in limiting exposure. Governor Ferguson can help us lead the nation in doing so with this effort.” 

“The decision for Governor Ferguson as to whether to join other governors in petitioning the EPA to begin monitoring plastics in drinking water, should be an easy one,” said Selden Prentice, 350 Seattle. “Recent research indicates that microplastics can be found in the kidney, liver and brain, and may be linked to heart disease. Additional to this health issue is the fact that because about 98 per cent of single-use plastic is made of petrochemicals – components derived from oil and gas — the production of plastic is closely linked to climate change. We urge Governor Ferguson to move forward so that our society can begin to better understand and grapple with the increasing harm that comes from plastics.”