When we think about protecting our waterways from plastic pollution, we think of recycling water bottles or moving toward canvas grocery bags. But what about the plastics we can’t see?
Research has shown many New York waterways are heavily polluted by plastic microbeads. These tiny beads are found in thousands of personal care products. In some, like facial scrubs, the beads may be visible and used for the purpose of exfoliation. In others, like toothpaste, consumers are probably unaware of their presence.
When we shower or brush our teeth, these beads are washed down the drain and travel mostly undetected through water treatment plants. When they reach their final destination – our lakes, rivers and oceans – they create serious health risks for aquatic life as well as humans.
Fish mistake the beads for food, which can lead to internal injuries and starvation. Microbeads also accumulate chemicals like PCBs, which can then be passed on to humans through seafood. These chemicals are known to cause birth defects and cancer.
Such reckless pollution of our water is unacceptable, especially when natural substitutes are available. Some companies, like Burt’s Bees, already use such alternatives, like crushed pecan shells, in their products. Others, like Johnson & Johnson, have committed to phasing out microbeads. But swifter action is needed.
Recently, a bill was introduced into the New York State Assembly to ban the sale of cosmetics containing microbeads. Hopefully, New York can be a leader in eliminating their use nationwide. For now, concerned consumers can use a free app – Beat the Microbead – to ensure they are buying microbead-free products.
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Web Links
Tiny beads polluting N.Y. waters
Ban Sought on Microbeads in Beauty Items
Photo, posted June 19, 2008, courtesy of Jeremy Hockin via Flickr.
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Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Support for Earth Wise comes from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY.