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ARTICLE · 06 APRIL 2026

EPA Places Microplastics, PFAS, Pharmaceuticals, And DBPs On Draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has published the draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List, introducing microplastics and pharmaceuticals as priority contaminant groups for the first time in drinking water regulation.

United StatesEnvironment
Monty Cooper
Monty Cooper
Rachel Lee
Rachel Lee

What You Need to Know

Key takeaway #1

The draft CCL 6 has broad implications across industries. Public water systems, chemical manufacturers, plastics producers, pharmaceutical companies, and consumer goods companies with products containing microplastics should closely monitor this development. For ESG focused stakeholders, the inclusion of microplastics and pharmaceuticals as priority contaminant groups signals growing regulatory and litigation risk that may warrant disclosure consideration, supply chain assessment, and proactive engagement with EPA before the June 5, 2026, comment deadline.

On April 6, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 6), marking a significant step in the agency's effort to identify and evaluate unregulated contaminants in public water systems. The CCL 6 includes 75 chemicals, four chemical groups (disinfection byproducts (DBP), microplastics, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances

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