New York may soon become the first state in the nation to ban the use of plastic microbeads in cosmetic products.

Plastic microbeads are commonly found in more than 100 products, including facial scrubs, soaps and toothpaste. They are typically under 5mm in size. A typical personal care product can contain over 300k microbeads.

Proposing the Legislation

On February 11, 2014, New York became the first state to propose the new legislation for a ban on microbeads in cosmetics. It was proposed by NY State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who said that the beads accumulate toxic chemicals that could enter the food chain if marine creatures ingest them.

And California will follow. An article by Ricardo Lopez in the LA Times on February 12th, 2014, says that Assemblyman Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica) plans to introduce a bill today that would ban the sale of products containing the microbeads.

Beauty Companies Respond

Three leading cosmetic companies – Proctor and Gamble, Unilever and Colgate-Palmolive – have already made commitments to phase out their use, even though they say they aren’t convinced the microbeads are causing any real issues.

Unilever’s website says: “The amount of plastic in the marine environment thought to originate from the use of plastic scrub beads in personal care products is considered to be limited compared to other sources.”

The company also said the reason for the phase-out is:

“…because we believe we can provide consumers with products that deliver a similar exfoliating performance without the need to use plastics. We expect to complete this phase out globally by 2015 and are currently exploring which suitable alternatives can best match the sensory experience that the plastic scrub beads provide.”

The Campaign Against Microbeads

The phase-out seems to be just in time, since there’s been an activist movement happening online, which has gotten the attention of both consumers and politicians.

5 Gyres Institute drafted the new legislation that is being proposed by politicians. 5 Gyres Institute is a research organization dedicated to eliminating plastic pollution in the world’s oceans. The organization completed the first plastic pollution survey of the Great Lakes with the State University of New York at Fredonia.

The organization also created ‘BeatTheMicrobead.org,‘ which calls itself an “International Campaign Against Microbeads in Cosmetics.” It posted lists of microbead products on its website, calling for the ban.

Among the 100+ microbead products sold in the U.S., according to the list posted on ‘BeatTheMicrobead.org’ are:

L’Oreal Paris Skin Expertise ‘Go 360’ Exfoliating Scrub, Murad Acne Body Wash, and Clinique’s Exfoliating Acne Scrub – which all contain microbeads made from polyethylene.

The list also states that polypropylene beads are used in Dermalogica’s Clear Start-Blackhead Clearing Pore Control Scrub; and microbeads made from Nylon-66 are in L’Oreal’s Garnier Skin Renew Radiance Moisture Cream.

The Environmental Issue

Microbeads are too small and buoyant to be removed by water treatment processes after they drain out of sinks and showers. Since they float, they make their way to the waterways and oceans.

The plastic particles will also last for centuries without breaking down – and tens of millions of the tiny plastic scrubbing beads are accumulating in oceans and lakes.

But the controversy, and environmental issues, are not new – an article by Lucy Siegle in The Observer says that back in November 2012, scientists from Wageningen University in the Netherlands showed that plastic nanoparticles were having an adverse effect on sea organisms like mussels.

Photo: 5gyres.org