Illinois First to Ban Pollution-Microbeads Found in Soaps b4in.org/j5GZ Sold in soaps and facial cleansers, microbeads are marketed as a way to exfoliate, to freshen the skin by sloughing away dead skin cells. Being made of plastic, these tiny plastic beads find their way into waterways and the ocean, resulting in an increase in water pollution. Both New York and California have proposed bills to ban these tiny pollution particles, but Illinois is the first to officially ban them. Governor Pat Quinn recently signed the legislation that will phase out all sales of microbead products by 2019 and manufacturing of such products by 2018. As the first state to legislate the use of the small plastic beads, Illinois must have a good reason. That reason: water pollution and the ecosystem that eventually leads to human consumption. “Banning microbeads will help ensure clean waters across Illinois and set an example for our nation to follow,” said Quinn, according to NaturalNews. “Lake Michigan and the many rivers and lakes across our state are among our most important natural resources. We must do everything necessary to safeguard them.” These small plastic beads find their way into the water supply as they are rinsed from bodies across the country. Once in the water, they become food to the wildlife. “They are about the same size as fish eggs,” explains Sherri Mason at the State University of New York Fredonia, “which means that, essentially, they look like food. To any organism that lives in the water, they are food. So our concern is that, essentially, they are making their way into the food web.” With unknown effects in the fish supply being carried over to human consumption, the concerns are very real. More b4in.org/j5GZ
Posted on: Fri, 04 Jul 2014 07:46:31 +0000
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