Microbeads was considered as one of the many miracles of modern technology. These tiny plastic balls were advertised as a super cleaning agent in beauty products that make its consumer's skin clear as film and teeth whiter than snow. Some of the big manufacturers who were using this product are L'Oreal SA and Procter and Gamble Co.
Recently, U.S. lawmakers are pushing for this ingredient to be banned. Microbeads were found to have a deadly effect in fishes. When these products are washed down the drain, the abrasives avoid treatment-plant filvers and accumulate in the system's waterways. As a result, they may produce toxic chemicals to the food chain. Some researchers have found traces of microbeads in the largest freshwater system in the world.
These tiny products are made out of polypropylene or polyethelene which is used commonly in plastic shopping bags. This product was patented in 1972 and became famous in 1990s. Annually, approximately 19 tone of these particles are winding up into our waters, with traces of the tiny beads ending up into the digestive systems of animals. Some researchers found traces on crabs and mussels. This widespread taint of plastic beads into our marine and possibly wildlife system can become an avenue to further pollution in the ecosystem.
Some companies who were using these microbeads have agreed to stop, even before the ruling of its prohibition. Johnson&Johnson have agreed to discontinue using the products by 2017. Procter and Gamble has also announced to remove this ingredient from their products. Unilever will discontinue the use of microbeads by 2017.
There will be a vote by the New Jersey Assembly's consumer affairs panel on a bill to make the state ban the use of products that contains microbeads. In California, Michigan and New York, lawmakers have also proposed the same in their respective states. U.S. representative Frank Pallone is leading a legislation in Congress to permanently stop the sale and distribution of products that contain the microbeads by the year 2018.
