Sixteen AGs Sent Letter Calling on Agencies to Address Microfiber Pollution

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong led a coalition of 16 attorneys general in sending a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee (IMDCC) urging the agencies to address microfiber pollution from laundry. In the letter, the AGs emphasized the harm of microfibers—a type of microplastic pollution that comes from synthetic clothing—and encouraged EPA, NOAA, and the IMDCC to address microfiber pollution. Specifically, the AGs recommended that the agencies explore their authority under the Clean Water Act to regulate microfibers; encourage filtration technology development; and study the negative effects of microfiber pollution on the environment and human health, specifically within environmental justice communities.

• Documents: LetterCT Press ReleaseIL Press ReleaseMD Press ReleaseWI Press Release
• Document Type: Non-rulemaking Letters Press Releases/Statements
• States: California Connecticut Delaware Illinois Maryland Michigan Minnesota Nevada New York Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island Vermont Washington Washington, D.C. Wisconsin
• Agencies: Department of Commerce Environmental Protection Agency National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Issues: Environmental Justice Plastics & Petrochemicals Public Health Toxics
• Era: Biden Administration
• Action Type: Rulemaking & Other Federal Administrative Proceedings