Microbeads Found in Skin Care Products Emerging Environmental Concern

Essential oils topical use on hand” by Your Best Digs licensed under CC BY 2.0

Source: Learning English

Microbeads found in everyday household and skin care products, such as exfoliants or even toothpaste, are contributing to the 8 million tons of plastic that end up in the ocean every year.

Although microbeads are tiny, they can become abundant in the ocean, and end up in the stomachs of fish that are eaten by humans.

The United States banned the use of microbeads in common products back in 2015, and since then other countries have jumped on board to find alternatives to microbeads.

British researchers have introduced a biodegradable alternative that draws from cellulose, found in plants.

“Because of the ways cellulose degrades, it should degrade in the waste water treatment plant. It shouldn’t even make it into the oceans,” says Janice Scott, of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Bath.

Read full story at: Learning English

Environment, News
Environment, News