Microbeads produced solid plastic particles less than a millimeter in their largest dimensions. They are most commonly made from polyethylene but can be from other petrochemical plastics such as polypropylene and polystyrene. They are used in exfoliating skin care products, toothpaste and in biomedical research and health sciences.
Microbeads can cause water pollution of plastic particles and pose an environmental hazard to aquatic animals in freshwater and seawater. In the US, the Microbead-Free Waters Act 2015 phase out microbeads in cosmetic rinses in July 2017.
Video Microbead
Type
Microbeads produced solid plastic particles less than a millimeter in their largest dimensions, and are commercially available in particle sizes from 10 micrometers (0.00039 in) to 1 millimeter (0.039 in). Low melting temperatures and fast phase transitions make them particularly suitable for creating porous structures in ceramics and other materials. They are most often made of polyethylene or other petrochemical plastics such as polypropylene and polystyrene.
Maps Microbead
Use
Microbeads are added as skin exfoliating agents for cosmetics and personal care products, such as soap, facial scrubs, and toothpaste. They can be added to over-the-counter medicines. In biomedical research and health sciences, microbeads are used in microscopy techniques, fluid visualization, fluid flow analysis, and problem-solving processes.
Sphericity and uniformity of particle size create ball-bearing effects on creams and lotions, producing a smooth texture and easily spread. Subtlety and roundness can provide lubrication. Colored microspheres add visual appeal to cosmetic products.
Environmental effects
Microbeads are washed in vain, can pass unfiltered through sewage treatment plants and make their way into streams and canals, resulting in water pollution of plastic particles. A research team from Uppsala University published a retractable study (for methodological reasons) stating that one of the many animals affected by microbeads perches, freshwater fish. When born in polluted environments containing large amounts of polystyrene particles, they choose to eat these microbeads instead of real foods like zooplankton. Perched plastic-eating shows a negative behavioral effect; for example, they ignore the smell of predators that make them vulnerable. Beads can absorb and concentrate pollutants such as pesticides and polycyclic hydrocarbons. Microbeads have been found to pollute the Great Lakes in high concentrations, especially Lake Erie. A study from the State University of New York, found anywhere from 1,500 to 1.1 million microbeads per square mile on the surface of the Great Lakes.
One study showed that the relevant levels of polythene microbeads of the environment had no impact on the larvae. Several wastewater treatment plants (IPAL) in the US and Europe can remove microbeads with efficiencies of more than 98 percent, others not. Thus, other sources of microplastic pollution (eg microfiber/fiber and car tires) are more likely to be associated with environmental hazards.
Various wildlife, from small fish, amphibians and turtles to larger birds and mammals, microbeads mistake for their food sources. The absorption of this plastic introduces the potential toxicity not only in these animals but also in other species higher in the food chain. Transferable hazardous chemicals may include hydrophobic pollutants collected on the water surface such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Prohibits production and sale in cosmetics
In 2012, the North Sea Foundation and the Plastic Soup Foundation launched an application that allows Dutch consumers to check whether personal care products contain microbeads. In the summer of 2013, the United Nations Environment Program and UK-based NGO Fauna and Flora International are joining the partnership to further develop applications for international audiences. This app has enjoyed success, convincing a number of large multinational companies to stop using microbeads, and is available in seven languages. There are many natural and biodegradable alternatives to microbeads that do not have any environmental impact when washable in vain, as they will biodegrade or filter before being released into the natural environment. Some examples for use as natural exfoliation include almonds, oatmeal, seasalt, and coconut husk. Burt's Bees and St. Ives use apricot pits and cocoa husks in their products, not microbeads to reduce their negative environmental impact.
Due to the increasing ban on microbeads in the US, many cosmetics companies also gradually stop microbeads from their production lines. L'Oreal plans to phase out polyethylene microbeads in exfoliate, cleanser and shower gel from their products by 2017. Johnson and Johnson, who have started phase out microbeads by the end of 2015, will by 2017 not produce polyethylene microbeads in their products. Finally, Crest removes microbead plastic in toothpaste in February 2016. A phased removal globally should be completed by the end of 2017.
Canada
On May 18, 2015, Canada took the first step to ban microbeads when Toronto Parliament Member John McKay introduced Bill C-680, which would ban the sale of microbeads. The first Canadian province to act against microbeads is Ontario, where Maire-France Lalonde, Provincial Parliament Member introduced Elimination and Monitoring Act Microbead. The bill imposes a ban on the manufacture of microbeads in cosmetics, face scrubs or washes, and similar products. The bill also proposes that there will be annual samples taken from Canada's Great Lakes, which will be analyzed for traces of microbeads.
Mayor Pointe-Claire, Morris Trudeau and City Council members asked residents to sign a petition requesting the Canadian and Quebec governments to ban "the use of plastic microbeads in cosmetics and cleaning products." Trudeau suggests that if Quebec prohibits microbeads, manufacturers will be encouraged to stop producing it in their products. Megan Leslie, Halifax Member of Parliament presented a movement against microbeads in the House of Commons, which received "unanimous support" and hoped that they were enrolled under Canada's Environmental Protection Act as a poison.
On June 29, 2016, the Canadian Federal Government added microbeads in Canada's Environmental Protection Act under Schedule 1 as a toxic substance. Import or manufacture of toiletries containing microbeads is prohibited on January 1, 2018 and sales will be banned from July 1, 2018. Microbeads in natural health products and non-prescription drugs will also be banned by 2019.
French
France introduced a ban on imports, manufacture and sale of microbeads in rinse cosmetics on January 1, 2018.
ireland
On November 23, 2016, Minister Simon Coveney TD Minister of Housing, Planning, Community, and Local Government (Minister with policy responsibilities for marine environmental protection) informs Seanad, the upper house of the Irish legislature, that he intends to notify the EU Commission of Ireland intent to introduce legislation to ban microbeads in certain personal care products, detergents and scouring agents by 2017. This is due to potential hazards that can occur in river, estuarine and marine environments. This is his intention to enact and enact this law in 2017. On November 25, 2016, he wrote to EU Commissioner Karmenu Vella to advise him that Ireland would formally notify the EU of its intention to ban the sale or manufacture of certain products containing microbeads.. Ireland will continue to advocate for restrictions across the EU.
The date has not been confirmed, but the law is expected to pass DÃÆ'¡il by the end of 2018.
Italy
Italy has set a target of banning microbeads by 2020.
Dutch
The Netherlands is the first country to announce its intention to free microbeads in cosmetics by the end of 2016. State Secretary for Infrastructure and Environment Mansveld said he was pleased with the progress made by members of Nederlandse Cosmetica Vereniging (NCV), the Dutch trade organization for cosmetic manufacturers and importers, stop using microbeads or work to remove microbeads from their products. By 2017, 80% of them must complete the transition to a microbial-free product line. Among the members of NCV are large multinational companies such as Unilever, L'OrÃÆ'Ã… © al, Colgate-Palmolive, Henkel, and Johnson & amp; Johnson.
New Zealand
On December 4, 2017, the New Zealand government announced that it would ban the production and sale of microbeads in the country. The ban will take effect in the next six months. New Zealand will ban the import, manufacture and sale of microbeads in rinse cosmetics on June 7, 2018.
Swedish
Sweden will impose a ban on imports and manufacture of microbeads in rinse cosmetics on July 1, 2018, to be followed by a sales ban in January 2019.
Taiwan
Taiwan imposed a ban on import and manufacture of microbeads in rinse cosmetics on January 1, 2018, to be followed by a ban on July 1, 2018.
United Kingdom
The UK government has banned the production of microbeads in rinse cosmetics and cleaning products in the UK. The production ban takes effect on January 9, 2018 and will be followed by a sales ban on July 1, 2018. Scotland will introduce its own sales and sales ban on June 19, 2018 and Wales will introduce it on June 30, 2018. The Northern Irish devolution government is expected to pass its own ban on time, even though it appears that UK legislation will prevail there.
United States
National
At the federal level, the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 prohibits the manufacture and introduction of inter-state trade of cosmetic rinses containing microbeads plastic deliberately added on July 1, 2017. Representative Frank Pallone proposes a bill by 2014 (HR 4895, reintroduced in 2015 as HR 1321). On December 7, 2015, his proposal was narrowed down by a rinse cosmetic amendment, and unanimously passed by the House. The American Chemistry Council and other industry groups endorsed the final bill, passed by the Senate on December 18, 2015, and the president signed on December 28, 2015.
State
Illinois became the first US state to enact legislation prohibiting the manufacture and sale of products containing microbeads; a two-part ban enacted in 2018 and 2019. The Personal Care Products Council, a trade group for the cosmetics industry, came out to support the Illinois Bill. Other countries have followed suit.
In October 2015 all state bans except the California ban, allowing biodegradable microbeads. Johnson & amp; Johnson and Procter & amp; Gamble is against California law.
In 2014, the law was elected but failed to qualify in New York.
Local
By 2015, Erie County, New York passes the first local ban in New York state. It prohibits the sale and distribution of all plastic microbeads (including biodegradable ones) including from personal care products. As of September 2015, its sales ban is stronger than any other law in the country. It came into force on August 12, 2015 and will take effect in February 2016. This appears to be the first prevailing ban in the country. In November 2015, four other NY districts followed suit.
See also
- Cenosphere
- expandable microsphere
- Glass microsphere
- Microplastic
- Glitter
- Plastic water particles pollution
References
External links
- Glass vs. Polyethylene Microspheres
- PSA Documentary on Plastic Microbeads
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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