In The News: Is Your Face Wash Harming The Environment?

As of late environmentalist are up in arms about the use of microbeads in popular personal care products (facial cleansers, facial scrubs and even toothpaste). These microbeads are essentially tiny bits of plastic that are being washed down our sinks and into our lakes and oceans. These manufactured bits of plastic are too small for water treatment plants to filter them out. Some scientists are saying more research needs to be done on the effects of microbeads on the ecosystem. However, others are citing previous studies on the effects of plastic materials on the environment.

Plastics are known to absorb toxins in the environment -- including pesticides. These plastic materials can be ingested by animals and as a result toxins can make there way into the food chain. To date five states are considering banning the sale of any product with microbeads. These states include -- New York, Illinois, Ohio, California and Minnesota.

Johnson & Johnson, the company behind Clean & Clear and Neutragina products, have announced they are no longer using microbeads in there products. There efforts to reformulate current products will not take full effect until 2017. Proctor & Gamble has made a similar promise.

To get onboard with this cause supporting the 5 Cyres group. Also, avoid using and purchasing products with microbeads by downloading the Beat the Microbead app for iPhone, Android and Windows.


Sources: 
Time Magazine
The New York Times