Plastic has made a significant impact on our daily lives, being an integral part of many products we use, from vehicles to smartphones. Its presence is widespread, including items you might not expect, such as toothpaste, body scrubs, deodorants, and lip gloss.
Microbeads in Toothpaste
Microbeads, tiny plastic granules found in an array of personal care products, are marketed for benefits like whitening teeth and smoothing skin. Despite their small size, these particles are significantly affecting wildlife, ecosystems, and even human health.
Microbeads Entering Water Systems
These microbeads are not only present in toothpaste but can also be found in various creams, soaps, shampoos, eyeliners, sunscreens, and deodorants. Frequently touted for their exfoliating properties, they are small enough—typically under one millimeter—that water treatment systems cannot capture them, resulting in their direct entry into the water supply from sinks and showers.
Microbeads in Aquatic Food Chains
Studies reveal that microbeads are being discovered in oceans, lakes, and on shorelines. They do not decompose, making it impossible to eliminate them once they are in the marine ecosystem. Fish, birds, and land animals consume these particles, which then move up the food chain. Consequently, humans, being at the top, may also ingest microplastics along with the harmful toxins associated with them.
“People often perceive [personal] care products as safe, using them to cleanse their bodies, which diverts attention from the potential hazards contained within,” remarks Bill Wareham, science projects manager for the western region at the David Suzuki Foundation.
Wareham further explains that “Plankton, fish, and birds mistake plastic microbeads for food, leading to ingestion. The released chemicals from these plastics accumulate in the fatty tissues of these organisms—primarily in fish, which are what we consume.”
When marine animals ingest microplastics, they are misled into believing they are satiated. Filter feeders like mussels and clams are particularly at risk. “These aren’t nutritious; they are not real food,” Wareham notes. Environmental Defence reports that the ingestion of these minuscule plastics can lead to digestive obstructions, dehydration, and even starvation-related death.
Plastic Absorbing Pollutants
The situation is exacerbated by the fact that these plastic pieces are capable of attracting additional pollutants and chemicals, rendering them even more hazardous for marine fauna and avian species that consume them. As these particles bio-magnify through the food chain, apex predators like tuna and swordfish accumulate the highest levels of toxins—those seafood often found on our dinner plates.
Microbeads Polluting Waterways
Increasing research is examining the abundance of microbeads in the environment and their consequences for wildlife and ecosystems.
In the Great Lakes
The nonprofit organization 5 Gyres has identified an average of 43,000 microbeads per square kilometer within the Great Lakes, with urban areas exhibiting averages of 466,000. Certain regions boast concentrations akin to those found in significant oceanic gyres, according to a 2015 study in the Journal of Great Lakes Research. Lake Erie is noted for having the highest concentration of microplastics among the Great Lakes.
The David Suzuki Foundation reports that fish studies in Lake Erie indicated an average of 20 plastic pieces in medium-sized fish, while cormorants that consumed these fish contained an average of 44 pieces of plastic.
More troubling is the preliminary finding that some plastic debris from Lake Erie bears polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), both of which are linked to cancer and birth defects, as per the same study in the 2015 Journal of Great Lakes Research.
In the St. Lawrence River
Studies have similarly detected microbeads at the bottom of the St. Lawrence River, with concentrations exceeding 1,000 microbeads per liter of sediment in certain locations, rivaling the world’s most severely contaminated oceanic sediments, according to a research publication in the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences last year.
Momentum Against Microbeads
As scientists, environmental advocates, and health-conscious individuals uncover more about microbeads, a movement for change is gaining traction.
In recent months, New Democrat MP Megan Leslie brought forth a motion in the House of Commons to include microbeads on the list of toxic substances governed by the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, effectively banning them from circulation. While the motion received unanimous support, it had not been acted upon at the time of writing.
“We have no justification for the existence of microbeads,” Leslie asserts. “It’s incredibly harmful material. Research clearly demonstrates its effects on marine ecosystems, so urgent action is called for. Industry compliance is essential, hence the need for regulation.”
Environment Canada has initiated a scientific review to evaluate the environmental repercussions of microbeads.
Meanwhile, states such as Illinois and New York have enacted bans on cosmetics containing microbeads, while Minnesota, Ohio, and California are contemplating similar legislative measures. The Green Party of Quebec advocates for the province to implement a parallel ban, and Toronto has signaled its intention to prohibit the use of microbeads in personal care items.
Some manufacturers are proactively responding by eliminating microbeads from their formulations and, in some instances, opting for biodegradable substitutes. Notable companies like L’Oréal and Johnson & Johnson have pledged to phase out these microbeads from their product lines.
How You Can Help
To combat the utilization of microbeads, the nonprofit organization 5 Gyres has started a petition urging companies to replace microbeads with natural, less harmful materials. You can access the petition at 5gyres.org/microbeads.
In addition to avoiding products containing microbeads, Bill Wareham of the David Suzuki Foundation encourages individuals to reach out to their MPs, advocating for a national ban on microbeads.
“Public backing is crucial,” he emphasizes. “We need to inform the government that we oppose the pollution of our waterways with plastics and advocate for industry regulation. People can make a difference by voicing their concerns through letters and emails to their representatives.”
Such messages can also be directly sent to cosmetic manufacturers.
Healthy Alternatives to Microbeads
Long before the introduction of plastic microbeads, there were numerous effective options for achieving radiant skin, and many still exist.
Exfoliants such as oatmeal, walnut shells, apricot seeds, powdered pecan shells, bamboo, baking soda, and sea salt provide natural alternatives with the desired texture.
“Another approach is simply reverting to using soap and a washcloth,” suggests Bill Wareham. “How innovative is that? It’s about embracing simplicity.”
Ingredients to Avoid
Pay attention to two primary ingredients in personal care products that signify the presence of microbeads: polyethylene and polypropylene. “If you find these listed, you can be sure that the product contains plastic microbeads,” notes Bill Wareham from the David Suzuki Foundation.
Microbeads can also consist of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).
The Beat the Microbead campaign offers a catalog of cosmetics found in Canada that include microbeads, available for free download. Recent checks identified products like Aveeno’s Skin Brighten Daily Scrub, Clearasil’s Daily Facial Scrub, and Neutrogena’s Oil-Free Acne Wash as containing these substances.
