The resolution urges the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish drinking water standards for microplastics and nanoplastics, which are tiny plastic particles that pose potential health risks. Microplastics are defined as particles less than five millimeters in length, while nanoplastics are even smaller, measuring less than one micrometer. These particles originate from various sources, including the degradation of larger plastics and intentionally designed products like microbeads in cosmetics. Studies have shown that microplastics and nanoplastics can easily pass through water filtration systems and have been detected in surface waters globally, as well as in bottled water, with alarming findings indicating an average of 250,000 plastic particles per bottle, predominantly nanoplastics.

The resolution highlights the concerning health implications of microplastics and nanoplastics, which can enter the human body, travel through the bloodstream, and potentially cause a range of negative health effects, including oxidative stress and inflammation. Despite the growing evidence of their prevalence and potential harm, the EPA has not yet set standards for these contaminants, even after a 2019 petition from 280 environmental organizations urging regulatory updates. The resolution calls for the EPA to take action similar to its recent establishment of drinking water standards for certain PFAS substances, emphasizing the need for updated regulations to address the increasing plastic pollution and its impact on public health.