1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to support legislation requiring microplastic filters in washing machines sold in Ohio. This issue directly impacts the health of Lake Erie and every Ohioan who depends on it for drinking water. Laundry is the number one source of microplastic pollution, with a single load releasing millions of microfibers that pass through wastewater treatment plants and contaminate our water bodies. Lake Erie alone contains an estimated 4 billion pieces of plastic, giving it some of the highest concentrations of microplastics of any water body in the world. These pollutants have been found in human blood and brains, contributing to respiratory problems and infertility. A Cleveland-based solution already exists. Three Case Western Reserve University students founded CLEANR, a startup that manufactures microplastic filters using patented VORTX technology. Their filter connects directly to any standard washing machine hose and captures over 90% of microplastics before they enter the water supply. One filter can prevent over 400 million microplastics from entering the environment annually. The technology is already deployed across Case Western Reserve's campus and at the University of Akron. Multiple states including California, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Oregon have introduced bills requiring microplastic filters in all new washing machines sold starting in 2030. The U.S. Senate has also introduced similar legislation. Ohio should join these states in protecting our water and public health. This legislation would position Ohio as a leader in environmental innovation while supporting a homegrown Cleveland company that represents our state's continuing tradition of solving global problems. I urge you to introduce or co-sponsor legislation mandating microplastic filters in new washing machines sold in Ohio, with an implementation date no later than 2030. Our water and our health depend on it.