H.R. 4903 — Plastic Health Research Act

This section establishes a coordinated research program on plastic exposure health effects (i.e., exposure to macroplastics, microplastics, and nanoplastics through production, occupational, environmental, end-user, recycling, degradation, and waste processes) under new PHSA section 399V-8, requiring the HHS Secretary—in consultation with the EPA, FDA, NOAA, NIST, and NIEHS directors—to expand research prioritizing reproducible methods, standard definitions, validated testing, reference materials, and gap-filling studies. It authorizes the Secretary to award research grants or contracts to public, nonprofit, and academic entities (including private collaborations) with the same priorities; requires annual reports to Congress for five years starting one year after enactment; mandates information sharing with specified agencies and plastic exposure research centers; and authorizes $10 million annually for FY2026 through FY2030. This section also establishes centers of excellence under new PHSA section 463C, authorizing the Secretary—acting through the relevant institute director—to fund public, nonprofit, and academic entities (including private collaborations) for research prioritizing standard material definitions, improved scientific quality, and filling health research gaps.