Environmental and Health Effects of Microbeads
Microbeads are tiny pieces of non-biodegradable plastic measuring less than 1mm. These are widely used in face washes, body scrubs, soaps, toothpastes and other such toiletries. They are mainly made up of polyethylene (PE). It may also contain polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and nylon.
Uses of Microbeads
Microbeads are mainly used as exfoliating agents (that removes dead cells) and are used as scrubbers in cosmetics and in various personal care products such as toothpaste, lip gloss, shaving creams etc. They also find application in biomedical and health science research. Nearly all leading brands use microbeads in their production. These beads are very small and rounded which creates a ball-bearing effect in creams and lotions giving a silky texture. These beads are now used to replace the natural exfoliating materials. With different colors, it provides the necessary visual appeal to cosmetic products.
Environment Impacts
It is estimated that over 663 different species were adversely impacted by marine debris. Out of which approximately 11% of the cases were related to the ingestion of microplastics. This finding was published as an overview for the Convention on Biological Diversity. According to a study, about 5000 to 95,000 microbeads get released with a single use of personal care products. With this, it is estimated that 749 billion microplastics and 455 billion plastic microbeads have been released in to the Indian Ocean in the past few years. The recent study conducted in November 2015 showed the presence of plastic microbeads even in table salts, which is one of the most basic ingredients in cooking. Till date very little research has been done on the repercussions of microbeads in India.
Because of the very small size (less than 1mm in size), they cannot be trapped by the water filtration systems. These microbeads escape filtration and treatment and finally end up in drains, rivers and water bodies which have ecotoxicological consequences. Microbeads entering a water system could become a toxin carrier having a toxicity1000 times higher than the water surrounding it. These absorb long lasting toxic chemicals like petrol, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pesticides, engine oil, industrial effluents all of which moves up in the food chain.
The fish and other marine animals including large mammals ingest these small particles and they get accumulated in to the digestive tracts of these animals and choke them to death. A study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found out that oysters which are exposed to microbeads produce 41% fewer larvae which grew at a slower rate and were 18% smaller than other larvae. It has been found that microbeads when ingested directly or indirectly by humans, birds and fish will have adverse impacts on their endocrine and neurotic system.
Measures to Tackle the Problem
India
Currently, the Indian government has no policy to prohibit the use of microbeads. Recently, a notice has been issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to the ministries of environment, water resources, and health, asking for their comments on microbeads found in personal care products.
Netherlands
The Netherlands was the first country to announce the phasing out of microbeads by the end of 2016.
United States
The US has already banned microbeads and has enacted “Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015” to prohibit the manufacture and use of microbeads. Apart from the above countries, Australia, UK, Canada is in the process of banning the use of microbeads.
Way Forward
As microbeads are only used in cosmetics and not in life saving drugs, and should be banned out rightly. They can be replaced by natural eco friendly substances. India should bring in appropriate legislation immediately to phase out microbeads as soon as possible.
