How Exactly Do Microbeads Affect Wildlife?

Microbeads, the tiny, 1mm balls of plastic commonly found in toothpastes, and exfoliating scrubs, are so tiny in fact that they cannot be filtered through sewage systems. They make their way to our waterways, causing vast plastic water pollution. According to a study of chemist Lorena Rios of the University of Wisconsin-Superior, 1,500 to 1.7 million plastic particles per square mile were found by her team in the great lakes.

 

Who is Affected by Microbead Pollution?

Marine life is largely affected by this pollution, and here's how: Fish mistake the microbeads for food, eat them, and then cannot digest them properly, thus starving them of nutrients. Microbeads can easily absorb chemicals that can potentially affect the species DNA, causing deformities. In one study, around 35% of 670 fish examined (a total of 6 species) had microbeads in their stomachs.  Microbeads have also been known to make their way into the flesh of fish, and then into our stomachs! The smallest fragments of plastic are filtered and retained by filter feeders such as mussels. Belgian toxicologist Colin Janssen found that on average, each gram of mussel flesh contains one particle of plastic. that is scary!

 

-Product containing microbeads is purchased, used, and washed down he drain. The plastic microbeads make their way to the waterway and are mistaken for food by marine life. The fish containing microbeads are bought and consumed by humans.-

 

Products that DO NOT contain microbeads:

-Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrub Brazilian Nut

-St. Ives Hypo-Allergenic Purify Exfoliating Body Wash

-Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Pore Scrub

-St. Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub

-Biore Acne Clearing Scrub

-Elimis Gentle Rose Exfoliator

-Philosophy The Microdelivery Peel

-Skimedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

-Murad Age Refrom AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

-Renee Rouleau Mint Buffing Beads

-Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Line Smoothing Exfoliator

-Jan Marini Clean Zyme Face Cleanser

-Arcona Cranberry Gommage Exfoliate

-Algenist Triple-Action Micropolish & Peel

-Perricone MD Blue Plasma

 

 

References:

Sailors of the Sea

Beat the Microbead