microbead
Quick Summary
Microbeads are tiny plastic particles, typically less than 5 mm in size, used in products like facial scrubs, body washes, and toothpaste as exfoliants or to add texture. They are also found in synthetic clothing and other consumer goods.123
Because microbeads are too small to be filtered by wastewater treatment plants, they end up in rivers, lakes, and oceans. They are not biodegradable and persist in the environment, accumulating and entering the food chain. This has led to bans on microbeads in rinse-off cosmetics in several countries, including the United States with the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015.12
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