Microbeads - No more.
OK. So, in the news this week: 'MPs call for a ban on plastic microbeads.'
What are microbeads I hear you ask? What do they do? Why does it affect me?
Microbeads are small pieces of plastic, smaller than 5 mm, commonly made of polyethylene or even other crude oil products such as polypropylene and polystyrene.
These beads provide shape and abrasion to products that need to scrub off dead skin, dirt and food.
They are used in a vast range of cleaning & cosmetic products that we all use daily and their minute size means they can easily pass through our drains and water filtration systems until they float right out into the ocean.
A single tube of Johnson & Johnson’s Clean & Clear facial scrub can contain up to 330,000 plastic beads. 100,000 microbeads can be washed down the drain, from some products, in just one application.
So what's all the fuss about? I've never had to worry about using 'microbead' products before. Plastic is a relatively inert substance and, if anything, these beauty products are being advertised and sold to me as 'good for my skin.'
And here comes the controversy:
Whilst the use of microbeads provides some short-term effects that are beneficial, there is little reliable evidence to say they are bad for our health as these studies would take many years and have too many variables that are difficult to control.
However, the real danger comes when these microbeads come into contact with the smallest creatures of our seas.
'Microplastic pollution is potentially more environmentally damaging than larger plastic waste, because it is more likely to be eaten by wildlife. Microplastics also have a greater surface area to attract toxins.
Professor Tamara Galloway from Exeter University said: “We find pieces of plastic in every sample of seawater we study from round the world. Many marine animals ingest microbeads, mistaking them for food. They can then be lodged in the animals’ gut – preventing them from eating nutritious food.' (By Roger Harrabin, BBC environment analyst)
These are the creatures that the Earth's entire ecosystem relies upon.
A recent scientific study stated 90% of birds had microbeads in their stomachs. They got it from their food, therefore, soon they'll find a way back to us.
"What goes around comes back around"
Microbeads have already been outlawed by President Obama and the Canadian Government - I'm sure we'll soon follow suit & carry on with the 'green theme' from 2015 after our 5p charge for plastic bags began. Although the hesitation of a few MPs does worry me a bit.
Rather than waiting to see what the effects are in conducting 'more research,' lets take what we've got and do what we can to reduce our littering of the seas with our waste.
It's worth mentioning that 'the biggest single source of microplastics is estimated to be abrasion from car tyres and road markings. But this issue is likely to prove much more difficult to address than a relatively straightforward ban on microbeads in shampoo, where substitutes are readily available.' (By Roger Harrabin, BBC environment analyst)
So, Greenpeace has a petition. At this current moment, 348,963 people have signed it in total to urge the government to ban the use of plastic microbeads throughout the UK. The website is secure and only an email is required to sign. So what are we waiting for? Click the link below and join the petition!
Greenpeace's petition against the use of microbeads
In the mean time; numerous big brands and companies have pledged to remove all microbeads from their products. Just a simple double-check of a label could stop 330,000 microbeads from being scattered into the sea unnecessarily. This could save millions of creatures - potentially even me and you.
Here you'll find a list of all brands & companies currently pledging and find out more about their statements.
But the consumer shouldn't have to debate and choose. Let's rid of microbeads and take one step closer to a cleaner, less polluted world.
H _ M
:)
Bibliography:
www.greenpeace.org.uk
www.bbc.co.uk
www.spiritualityhealth.com
www.beatthemicrobead.org
What are microbeads I hear you ask? What do they do? Why does it affect me?
 |
| Microbeads can be seen here in toothpaste credit: www.medicaldaily.com |
These beads provide shape and abrasion to products that need to scrub off dead skin, dirt and food.
They are used in a vast range of cleaning & cosmetic products that we all use daily and their minute size means they can easily pass through our drains and water filtration systems until they float right out into the ocean.
A single tube of Johnson & Johnson’s Clean & Clear facial scrub can contain up to 330,000 plastic beads. 100,000 microbeads can be washed down the drain, from some products, in just one application.
So what's all the fuss about? I've never had to worry about using 'microbead' products before. Plastic is a relatively inert substance and, if anything, these beauty products are being advertised and sold to me as 'good for my skin.'
And here comes the controversy:
Whilst the use of microbeads provides some short-term effects that are beneficial, there is little reliable evidence to say they are bad for our health as these studies would take many years and have too many variables that are difficult to control.
However, the real danger comes when these microbeads come into contact with the smallest creatures of our seas.
'Microplastic pollution is potentially more environmentally damaging than larger plastic waste, because it is more likely to be eaten by wildlife. Microplastics also have a greater surface area to attract toxins.
Professor Tamara Galloway from Exeter University said: “We find pieces of plastic in every sample of seawater we study from round the world. Many marine animals ingest microbeads, mistaking them for food. They can then be lodged in the animals’ gut – preventing them from eating nutritious food.' (By Roger Harrabin, BBC environment analyst)
These are the creatures that the Earth's entire ecosystem relies upon.
A recent scientific study stated 90% of birds had microbeads in their stomachs. They got it from their food, therefore, soon they'll find a way back to us.
"What goes around comes back around"
Microbeads have already been outlawed by President Obama and the Canadian Government - I'm sure we'll soon follow suit & carry on with the 'green theme' from 2015 after our 5p charge for plastic bags began. Although the hesitation of a few MPs does worry me a bit.
Rather than waiting to see what the effects are in conducting 'more research,' lets take what we've got and do what we can to reduce our littering of the seas with our waste.
It's worth mentioning that 'the biggest single source of microplastics is estimated to be abrasion from car tyres and road markings. But this issue is likely to prove much more difficult to address than a relatively straightforward ban on microbeads in shampoo, where substitutes are readily available.' (By Roger Harrabin, BBC environment analyst)
So, Greenpeace has a petition. At this current moment, 348,963 people have signed it in total to urge the government to ban the use of plastic microbeads throughout the UK. The website is secure and only an email is required to sign. So what are we waiting for? Click the link below and join the petition!
Greenpeace's petition against the use of microbeads
In the mean time; numerous big brands and companies have pledged to remove all microbeads from their products. Just a simple double-check of a label could stop 330,000 microbeads from being scattered into the sea unnecessarily. This could save millions of creatures - potentially even me and you.
Here you'll find a list of all brands & companies currently pledging and find out more about their statements.
But the consumer shouldn't have to debate and choose. Let's rid of microbeads and take one step closer to a cleaner, less polluted world.
H _ M
:)
Bibliography:
www.greenpeace.org.uk
www.bbc.co.uk
www.spiritualityhealth.com
www.beatthemicrobead.org
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