Regulating Microplastics at Coastal California

• In Event: 50462 - Section on Science, Knowledge, and Technology Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 12: Trust and Uncertainty

Abstract

Microplastics, an unruly residue of plastic products, have increasingly attracted attention since the 2010s. Discussions about microplastics' potential health effects now span news media, public discourse, and policy arenas. Although toxicologists are still investigating the health risks, several government entities have begun implementing strategies to reduce microplastic pollution. California is at the forefront of these efforts. In 2024, the California Ocean Protection Council released the nation’s first Statewide Microplastics Strategy. This plan outlines both immediate actions and research priorities to curb microplastic pollution in the state’s marine environment.
My research examines how local networks address plastic and microplastic pollution along California’s coast despite significant scientific uncertainty. By tracing science and policy development, I analyze the collaboration and competition among NGOs, research institutions, and regulatory agencies, as well as the political, institutional, and scientific infrastructure that shape their efforts. The findings reveal that California's policy-driven strategy places NGOs, scientists, and officials in a dilemma typical of regulatory science. While a state senate bill accelerated the regulation of microplastics, the infrastructure for pollution assessment remains under development. Scientists, government officials, and community organizers continue to harmonize methods and protocols across exposure assessment and environmental toxicology, navigating the complexities of a rapidly evolving field.

Author

• Tsung-Yen Tsou, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University