On July 17, 2025, Senator Jeff Merkley (D‑OR), alongside Sen. Rick Scott (R‑FL), introduced the Microplastics Safety Act (S. 2353) in the U.S. Senate. A companion bill (H.R. 4486) was introduced by Rep. Janelle Bynum (D‑OR) and Rep. Greg Steube (R‑FL) in the House  .

The legislation directs the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a scientific study on how microplastics in food and water affect human health—including impacts on children, reproductive, endocrine, and cancer-related risks—and deliver a report to Congress within one year  .

Why It Matters

Ubiquitous exposure: Microplastics have been detected in food, beverages, air, blood, liver, placenta, even brain tissue. Some studies link them to cancer, hormonal disorders, and chronic illnesses  .

Vulnerable populations: The bill emphasizes assessments for children, aging adults, and effects on the endocrine system, reproductive and cognitive health  .

Growing concern in Oregon: States like Oregon—with significant waterways—are especially impacted. Representative Bynum noted that brain tissue from dementia patients contained up to 10× more microplastics than that of unaffected individuals  .

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Merkley’s Leadership

As Ranking Member of the Senate Environment & Public Works subcommittee on Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice, and Regulatory Oversight, Merkley has championed plastic pollution actions.

On July 17, he highlighted how plastics bypass the “three Rs”—“reduce, reuse, recycle”—and are instead “buried, burned, and borne out to sea,” leaching hazardous chemicals into land, water, and air  .

Earlier this summer, he also introduced a bipartisan resolution naming July as Plastic Pollution Action Month, aiming to raise awareness about plastic’s dangers  .

What’s Next

1. Committee Referral: S. 2353 was officially referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee following its introduction  .

2. Studies & Reporting: If passed, the FDA/HHS would have one year to assess exposure pathways and health outcomes and report back to Congress.

3. Potential Outcomes: Based on findings, the federal government could enact consumer guidelines, modify regulations for food and water safety, or launch targeted research.

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Why Now?

Reports show that microplastics in the brain have risen by about 50% in the last decade, with concentrations comparable to a plastic spoon by weight  .

With growing evidence of harm—especially to children and seniors—the bill represents a bipartisan, science-driven approach to get ahead of a silent but pervasive threat  .

“Microplastics threaten human health and our environment, and our bipartisan effort will ensure the federal government better understands the dangers they pose, ensuring a healthier planet and future for all Americans.” 

Jeff Merkley

Why it matters to Surfside residents

Residents of Surfside and Pacific County face a growing but often overlooked peril: microplastics infiltrating air, water, and food supplies. Storm-driven winds and surf deposit these tiny plastic particles along beaches and inland areas, where they become airborne and enter the respiratory system, while runoff and shellfish ingestion expose residents through food and drinking water . Recent studies link coastal microplastic exposure to increased risks of cardiometabolic diseases—including type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, and stroke—raising serious public‑health concerns for local communities . For these residents, what appears to be scenic coastal living can mask a “cloudy soup” of plastic contamination, emphasizing the urgent need for monitoring, regulations, and community action to safeguard health. Increasing natural protections like growing tree canopy is critical to provide some protection against micro plastics.

Final Take

The Microplastics Safety Act marks a pivotal shift from just managing plastic waste to investigating its direct health impacts on people. Senator Merkley’s leadership—backed by bipartisan support—signals a growing recognition within Congress of the urgent need for scientific action.

Even if you’re far from coastal Oregon or Florida, this legislation could eventually influence national food standards, water quality safety, and how plastics are regulated upstream, benefiting public health across the country. In the community of Surfside, it’s clear the federal government is becoming more concerned about the health impact of micro plastics. With diminished tree canopy the increase of micro plastic pollution in waterways from stormwater runoff and in oceans is a concern for all Surfside residents