Are we bathing with plastics? Next time You use facewash and see Polypropylene, Polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene methacrylate on any of the Products please understand, You are bathing with Microbeads and Please be beware You are adding Microbeads to the Oceans, Waterways and to Nature.
As per NOAA, Microbeads are plastic particles that are between 1 mm and 1 micron in size and can be very harmful to the ocean and aquatic life. Birds, Aquatic Oceans can think of Microbeads as food and the same can be swallowed by crustaceans and wildlife. Microbeads are tiny bits of pieces which are found in the scrubs and bodybaths.
USA Banned the use of microbeads in 2015 and UK in early 2018. Experts say that just after single wash 100,000 particles of microbeads are washed down the drain every year. A ban means no plastic shall be used for scrubbing and exfoliating the skin. As per some experts, 4.1% of the marine pollution is caused by cosmetic products. Microbeads do not get tapped by water filtration or sewage treatment. Microbeads absorb many kinds of products in the water and become a hundred times more toxic than the surrounding water.
WHO has asked for the review of water in the plastic bottles after many microbeads have been found in the Drinking Water in the Bottled water early this year of all the big brands of the world. Since many sources their water which are already polluted with microbeads; they need to look at the origin of the microbead pollution and take urgent steps.
Since many developing and developed countries are keenly looking at the cosmetic industry to change their ways, it is indeed the need of the hour to switch on to natural elements instead of going for exfoliator being sold in the market. India has already decided to look after the use of microbeads in the cosmetic products and may come up with a law soon banning the use of microbeads in the cosmetic products. Why wait for a Ban but become proactive as good Environmental Citizens of this world.
Featured Image Source: https://intothegloss.com/2015/08/microbeads-in-beauty-products/
