Essay On Microbead

We may be making a huge environmental impact just by washing our face, brushing our teeth or cleaning our sink. How can this be, you might ask? Most of our personal care and cleaning products contain little scrubbing particles called microbeads. The environmental impact of microbeads is vast reaching and impacts bodies of water, land, animals and humans. These small beads are plastic fragments or plastic beads ranging in size from roughly 5 micrometers to 1 millimeter. Microbeads are made from synthetic polymers and are similar to the plastic used to make water bottles and plastic bags. These plastic beads are used in hundreds of products, mostly as abrasive scrubbers, including face washes, body washes, cosmetics, toothpaste and cleaning supplies. They are used as a replacement for natural exfoliating materials that can sometimes be more costly and harder to come across. These natural alternatives are nut husks, oatmeal and pumic. Microbeads are popular because they are cheaper to mass produce. These plastic beads are causing great concern among scientists and environmentalists as their risk and impact on the environment continues to grow.

Researchers have estimated 8 trillion microbeads per day are being washed down the drain in the United States.

Research the products we use and buy products that use biodegradable exfoliants like Sugar, salt, cocoa beans and apricot shells. Support companies that care about matters that involve the environment such as this issue and are making changes. Along with taking microbeads out of our lives, supporting funds to upgrade our treatment plants nationwide with specialized filters and microfiltration devices is crucial in the fight against micro-particle pollution. These steps will make a significant impact on the environmental impact of microbeads because humans are the ones putting it in the