H.R. 4903: Plastic Health Research Act

This bill, titled the Plastic Health Research Act, aims to enhance research on the health effects of exposure to plastics. Here are the key components of the bill:

Expansion and Coordination of Research

The bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collaborate with various government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The objective is to:

• Expand and coordinate research initiatives focusing on the health impacts of plastic exposure.
• Improve scientific methods for studying plastics, particularly microplastics and nanoplastics.
• Develop standardized definitions and testing methods for plastics to ensure research accuracy and comparability.

Grant and Contract Programs

The Secretary will be authorized to award grants or contracts to diverse entities, such as:

• Public and nonprofit organizations
• Academic institutions
• Public-private partnerships

The funds from these grants will support research that:

• Enhances the quality and reproducibility of scientific studies
• Develops validated testing methodologies for different media
• Addresses existing gaps in health effects research related to plastic exposure

Centers of Excellence

The bill establishes Centers of Excellence for Plastic Exposure Health Research. These centers are intended to:

• Conduct high-quality scientific research on plastic exposure and its potential health impacts.
• Facilitate public awareness about the hazards and sources of plastic exposure.
• Develop methodologies to assess and evaluate the exposure and health risks associated with plastics.

Funding for these centers will support activities that improve research quality and public health assessments related to plastics.

Funding Authorization

The bill authorizes the appropriation of $10 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out the research and programs mandated by the act.

Definition of Plastic Exposure

Plastic exposure is defined in the bill to include contact with:

• Macroplastics
• Microplastics
• Nanoplastics

This exposure can occur through a variety of pathways, such as production and manufacture of plastics, environmental interactions, and disposal methods.

Reporting and Information Sharing

The Secretary will be required to report to Congress and make public findings from the research every year for five years. This is aimed at ensuring transparency and facilitating knowledge sharing among relevant government agencies involved in health and environmental protections.

Relevant Companies

• DOW - Dow Inc. is involved in the production of plastics and may be impacted by increased regulations and research surrounding the health effects of plastic exposure.
• AVY - Avery Dennison Corporation specializes in packaging and may see changes in operational standards due to new research findings on plastic health impacts.
• MON - Corteva, Inc. operates in agricultural sciences and might be required to adjust its practices based on new insights into plastics and health.