Rep. Jennifer Boylan is taking aim at microplastics. 

The local lawmaker recently introduced a pair of bills that addresses synthetic polymer microparticles, which are better known as microplastics. 

Bill 2025-H 5492, titled the “Microplastics Reduction Act,” is focused on reducing the amount of microplastics introduced into the environment. It would prohibit the manufacture, sale or distribution in Rhode Island of any product with intentionally added microplastics, beginning Jan. 1, 2029.

Bill 2025-H 5340 specifically addresses synthetic turf fields. The bill would create a public statewide database managed by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to track the location and use of artificial turf fields, including their composition, transportation, installation, removal, reuse, recycling and final disposal. 

According to a press release from Rep. Boylan’s office, the database would allow state agencies, municipalities and members of the public to understand the prevalence of artificial turf in Rhode Island and develop management strategies to address disposal challenges and any resulting impacts on health and the environment.

Rep. Boylan said the issue of microplastics is very important to her. 

“Microplastics continue to accumulate in our soil, waterways, drinking water and bodies without us knowing the full extent of the problem, let alone how best to address it,” said Rep. Boylan (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence). “We need to cut down on our exposure to microplastics by limiting their addition to products, and we also need a plan to measure the current extent of the problem so that we can develop a mitigation plan to deal with our current pollution levels.”

Microplastics Reduction Act

According to a press release from Rep. Boylan’s office, manufacturers add microplastics to products like fertilizers, pesticides, cosmetics, household and industrial detergents, cleaning products and paints. 

“Microplastics are also used as the soft infill material on artificial turf sports fields,” stated the release. “Microplastics do not biodegrade: they end up in oceans, rivers, ponds, food and drinking water, and their ingestion and inhalation has been linked to health conditions like an increased risk of heart disease.”

Rep. Boylan’s press release shared information about a recent study conducted by the University of Rhode Island involving microplastics. It stated that “the average adult brain contains seven grams of microplastic— the equivalent of a plastic spoon.”

Bill 2025-H 5492 would direct RI DEM and the Rhode Island Department of Health to adopt a testing plan to monitor the level of microplastics in water and soil as part of a statewide microplastics strategy that covers the health impacts of microplastics, the sources of microplastic pollution, approaches to reduce microplastic pollution, the environmental impacts of microplastic pollution and policy recommendations to reduce or eliminate the presence of microplastics in the environment.

Jed Thorp, director of advocacy for Save The Bay, commented on the Rep. Boylan’s bill. 

“Plastics and microplastics are one of the most challenging problems facing the Narragansett Bay and watershed, and, unfortunately, the problem is only getting worse,” Thorp said. “We commend Rep. Boylan for putting forth solutions that will help us start to get a handle on the problem.”

Synthetic turf field bill

2025-H 5340 focuses on synthetic turf fields, and would create a database to track the location and use of artificial turf fields, including composition, transportation, installation, removal, reuse, recycling and disposal.

“In the absence of an inventory, we have no idea how many artificial turf fields are in Rhode Island and which of these athletic fields contain crumb rubber,” Rep. Boylan said. “What are the disposal and regular replacement plans for those fields, and what happens to the infill when we have flooding or large-scale storms? These questions led me to draft this legislation.”

Rep. Boylan cited a 2023 study from the University of Rhode Island which found that more than 1,000 tons of microplastics have accumulated on the floor of Narragansett Bay in the last 10 to 20 years. 

“Microplastics are then ingested by marine life, potentially putting Rhode Island’s fishing industries and aquatic ecosystems at risk,” stated the release.