MICROBEAD BACKGROUND
Plastic microbeads are substances frequently found in a variety of products ranging from “cosmetics, sunscreen, body wash, toothpaste, skincare, and industrial and household cleaning products” (Rochman, et al., 2015). They are frequently used as exfoliating scrubbers in order to aid in the cleaning of various materials and surfaces. Oftentimes, these microbeads can replace naturally biodegradable alternatives such as salts, oatmeal or ground nut shells due to their ease of access and low cost. While microbeads do have benefits when it comes to cleaning, several characteristics make them a critical water contaminant.
In order to understand the potential impacts and downfalls of microbeads, it is important to understand what makes up microbeads. Microbeads are an engineered microplastic and range from 5 μm to 1 mm in diameter. Some of the most common microplastics are “polyethylene (PE), but can also be made of polypropylene …show more content…
Many fear their full impact is still unknown since this has been a recent concern to environmental scientists. Many marine species will consume the microbeads assuming that they are a food source. While some of these species will be able to excrete the microbeads, there is potential for the microbeads to build up and cause damage to the organs of various species. It has been approximated that “over 663 different species were negatively impacted by marine debris with approximately 11% of reported cases specifically related to the ingestion of microplastics” (Microplastics: scientific evidence, 2016). The impacts of the microplastics on fish may then also multiply as we move higher up on the food chain to species that then consume the fish, including humans. By continuing to input microbeads into water sources, the fish may only consume more of these plastic particles and further harm the health of various marine
Plastic microbeads are substances frequently found in a variety of products ranging from “cosmetics, sunscreen, body wash, toothpaste, skincare, and industrial and household cleaning products” (Rochman, et al., 2015). They are frequently used as exfoliating scrubbers in order to aid in the cleaning of various materials and surfaces. Oftentimes, these microbeads can replace naturally biodegradable alternatives such as salts, oatmeal or ground nut shells due to their ease of access and low cost. While microbeads do have benefits when it comes to cleaning, several characteristics make them a critical water contaminant.
In order to understand the potential impacts and downfalls of microbeads, it is important to understand what makes up microbeads. Microbeads are an engineered microplastic and range from 5 μm to 1 mm in diameter. Some of the most common microplastics are “polyethylene (PE), but can also be made of polypropylene …show more content…
Many fear their full impact is still unknown since this has been a recent concern to environmental scientists. Many marine species will consume the microbeads assuming that they are a food source. While some of these species will be able to excrete the microbeads, there is potential for the microbeads to build up and cause damage to the organs of various species. It has been approximated that “over 663 different species were negatively impacted by marine debris with approximately 11% of reported cases specifically related to the ingestion of microplastics” (Microplastics: scientific evidence, 2016). The impacts of the microplastics on fish may then also multiply as we move higher up on the food chain to species that then consume the fish, including humans. By continuing to input microbeads into water sources, the fish may only consume more of these plastic particles and further harm the health of various marine