Update on Microbeads

Another quick update for today as this morning it was reported that the British government have ordered a review into the impact of microbeads on the food chain. I noted a short while ago in this blog that marine organisms in our food chain are known to ingest microplastics, but the effect of this on human health is relatively unknown due to the lack of study on the matter. This announcement therefore comes as a welcome step towards a better understanding of this particular phenomenon.

It is hoped that further investigation being dedicated to this field will assist with the introduction of rules and regulations regarding the use of microbeads within various products. Earlier this year, the government announced its plans to introduce a ban on microbeads used in cosmetics, to be implemented in 2017. However, it is as of yet undecided exactly what products this ban will encompass, with concerns now being raised over the use of microplastics in household cleaning products. Hopefully therefore, with the government demanding further studies, the true extent to which all microplastics are affecting our food chain will be revealed. Ultimately, this will help to tackle the growing problem of microplastics in the ocean.

Wave goodbye (pun intended) to microbeads - we may soon have to find
something else to invigorate our skin (Source)