Many facial scrubs and soaps contain plastic microbeads used for exfoliation – the removal of dead skins cells to help maintain healthy skin. The tiny beads add up when washed down the sinks of millions of homes. Researchers have found up to 1.1 million plastic particles of these microbeads per kilometer in Lake Ontario.  Unfortunately for the local marine creatures, the plastic microbeads are very good at absorbing toxins in the water. They basically become concentrated beads of toxins. Fears exist that the beads will make their way up the food chain, as animals may initially mistake the beads for fish eggs.

In momentous news, Illinois became not only the first state to ban plastic microbeads from personal care products, but also the first jurisdiction in the world to do so. California, Ohio, New York, and the Netherlands look poised to follow suit.

It’s the responsibility of caring citizens to protect the future health of the world, both from themselves and for future generations. Do what it takes to protect the world we live in!

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