Microbeads
Microbeads are tiny plastic spheres, typically measuring five millimeters or less, that have been used in various personal care products such as body washes, facial scrubs, and toothpaste. They were introduced in the 1970s as a less expensive and more durable alternative to natural exfoliants like ground oatmeal. While major cosmetics companies have utilized microbeads for their exfoliating properties, environmental concerns have arisen due to their contribution to water pollution and threats to aquatic life. When products containing microbeads are washed down drains, a portion of these particles can escape water treatment systems and enter freshwater supplies, where they may absorb harmful pollutants and be mistaken for food by marine organisms.
In response to these environmental risks, several countries, including the United States and Canada, have instituted bans on microbeads in personal care products. The U.S. enacted the Microbead-Free Waters Act in 2015, which prohibits the manufacture and distribution of rinse-off cosmetics containing microbeads. Despite these legislative efforts, concerns persist regarding plastics used in other industries, such as paints and detergents, where regulation may not be as stringent. Environmental organizations continue to advocate for comprehensive measures to address the broader issue of microplastics in the environment, highlighting the ongoing challenges in protecting wildlife and ecosystems from plastic pollution.
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Microbeads
Microbeads are small spheres made out of plastic. They are called microspheres in some industries. They have been used in personal care products such as body and face washes and toothpastes because they help to remove dead skin cells and tartar. Major skin care manufacturers—including L'Oreal, Johnson and Johnson, and Procter and Gamble—have used microbeads in their products. Microbeads are also used in the paint and coatings industry.
Environmental organizations have asked for the ban of microbeads in personal care products. This is because microbeads contaminate freshwater supplies and endanger wildlife. Many companies promised to remove microbeads from their products and some governments passed laws banning microbeads. For example, in 2015, the US Congress passed a ban on microbeads that, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prohibits the "manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of rinse-off cosmetics containing plastic microbeads."
Background
Microbeads were first introduced in 1972 as an alternative to natural exfoliating products such as nutshells or ground oatmeal. Such natural products were more expensive to obtain. Microbeads were cheaper to produce and were less likely to break down when they were shipped or stored. This made them a good replacement for natural exfoliators.
Plastic microspheres are also used in commercial products, such as paints and coatings, because they are able to withstand difficult conditions. They do not break easily because they can absorb a lot of pressure. Plastic microspheres are often used in reflective traffic paint seen on streets and highways. They are also found in high-pressure abrasives, such as sandblasting materials and some detergents.
Microbeads and microspheres have different definitions according to the US and UK governments. The FDA defines microbeads as any solid plastic particle five millimeters or less in size, which are intended for use in exfoliating or cleansing the body. This definition became necessary when environmental scientists noticed what was happening when microbeads were washed down drains and entered the water supply.
When a person uses a product that contains microbeads, such as a face cleanser, most of the product dissolves. The microbeads in the product take longer to dissolve, however. Although the majority of microbeads turn into sludge once they enter sewer systems and water treatment plants, a small portion—approximately 1 percent—still gets into the water supply. Experts estimate that during their peak usage, approximately eight trillion microbeads went into waterways across the United States each day.
The presence of microbeads in the water supply creates several problems. First, plastic is able to absorb any pollutants that may be in the water, especially as it makes its way through sewage systems. Therefore, microbeads may still hold contaminants even after passing through water treatment facilities. In addition, aquatic wildlife often mistake microbeads for food. This not only endangers species of fish and other aquatic organisms, but it also endangers people who may catch and eat these animals. Environmentalists claim that pollutants in microbeads cause certain medical conditions, such as cancer and birth defects. Additionally, though the plastic used to make microbeads is tough, it does eventually break down. This can release dangerous chemicals into the water supply.
Overview
In October 2015, cosmetic companies in countries throughout Europe began removing microbeads from health and beauty products. Companies that belong to the Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association, or CTPA, a trade group based in England, stated in 2016 that they were trying to take microbeads out of all of their products. According to a survey completed by CTPA members, their rinse-off cosmetic products will no longer contain microbeads by 2018. In June 2016, Canada also banned the use of microbeads in health and beauty products. The Canadian Environmental Protection Act lists microbeads that are used for products such as face and body washes as a toxic substance.
In the United States, several states began banning the sale and use of microbeads in health and beauty products starting in June 2014. California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, and Wisconsin all passed bills that would stop the manufacturing of all health and beauty products containing microbeads by January 1, 2018. The federal government also addressed the presence of microbeads in the water supply. In 2015, the US government enacted the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015. In 2017, the United States passed a federal ban on the manufacture of microbeads for rinse-off cosmetics.
The Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 bans the making, packaging, and distributing of any type of health and beauty product that contains plastic microbeads and rinses off the body. This law was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama in December 2015, and it went into effect in July 2017. According to the FDA, this includes not only cosmetics but also toothpastes and other over-the-counter drugs. The law focuses on the impact that microbeads may have on fish and other wildlife. The FDA states that the new law does not cover "consumer safety" or "health concerns" that plastic microbeads used in health and beauty products might cause. This is because, according to the FDA, there is not sufficient proof to show that plastic microbeads can be harmful to humans.
Environmentalists fear that these government bans will not completely stop microbeads from entering the water supply. That is because plastic microspheres used in other industries are not outlawed by the bans. Although microspheres and microbeads are technically the same, governments define microbeads in a specific way.
Additionally, detergents and other industrial products do not have to list their ingredients on their labels, so it is hard to tell which of these products contain microspheres. Industries that continue to use plastic microspheres in their products argue that further regulation may be too restrictive. The paint and coatings industry wants to keep microspheres in its products. This is because microspheres allow them to produce inexpensive products that are more durable.
Environmental organizations like Greenpeace have started pushing for a more complete ban on microbeads. In 2016, the World Economic Forum stated in a study that the world's oceans would contain more plastic debris than fish by 2050 if nothing were done. Although a ban on microbeads in health and beauty products helps keep plastic out of the water supply, experts say there is still a lot of work to do to protect wildlife and the environment from microplastics. While the 2014 US Microbead-Free Waters Act prohibits microbeads in cosmetics, at least eleven US states have banned the use of microbeads not only in cosmetics but also in all personal care products. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was also considering creating new standards to stop microplastics from harming human health.
Bibliography
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