Scientists are continually looking for new ways to improve oral care products, and using microbeads in toothpaste used to be a popular method of adding abrasive qualities to the product. Now that microbeads are going to be banned, you can rest assured that you can find a toothpaste that works effectively for you and doesn't harm the planet. Learn why the eradication of microbeads spells good news for your health and the environment's health, too.
What Are Microbeads?
According to a research report on the American Chemical Society microbeads are plastic fragments or beads ranging in size from roughly 5 μm to 1 mm. They are made from synthetic polymers including polyethylene, polylactic acid (PLA), polypropylene, polystyrene, or polyethylene terephthalate. Microbeads are used in hundreds of products, often as abrasive scrubbers. Microplastic has been reported in every major open ocean and many freshwater lakes and rivers. They are an ingredient in a variety of personal care products and have a few different purposes. Microbeads are used as an exfoliant or abrasive agent, they allow for a timed release of active ingredients, they add bulk to personal care product formulas and they may prolong a product's shelf life. These capabilities, plus the inexpensive manufacturing costs, may account for this ingredient's popularity.
The Environmental Issue
Because microbeads aren't biodegradable, they pose a significant environmental concern. Toxic Link notes that no legal framework is in place for restrictive use of microplastics or microbeads in India. A tap water survey analysis conducted in India found that 82.4% sample was contaminated with microplastics. Studies have found microplastics in Gujarat and Chennai coast, Mumbai beaches and Kerala lake. International studies have also found microplastics in drinking water (tap) samples from Delhi and bottled water from Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai. A National Institute of Oceanography study (running) has found microplastics absorbed in fish tissues.