Microplastics are everywhere…and that’s a problem. It’s a global problem. And California is leading the fight against these miniscule menaces. In 2022 California became the first state in the country to adopt a non-regulatory strategy to address the issue.

What are microplastics? They are fragments of plastic measuring less than 5mm and can be found in the air we breathe, water we drink, food we eat, and subsequently in our very own bodies. To protect Californians, and to set an example for the rest of the nation, the state’s two pronged strategy consists of preventing plastics from entering the environment and monitoring the plastics that are already out there.

The first prong involves reducing and possibly eliminating single-use plastics, synthetic fabrics, and cigarette filters. Additionally, storm water systems will be improved to filter out pollutants before they reach the ocean. The second prong involves testing California’s waters for levels of microplastics present. It also involves reseach to determine what are the major causes of microplastics and what are the specific risks posed by each kind.

Learn more about microplastics in our October 2023 newsletter found here.