Research at Plymouth University has shown almost 100,000
‘microbeads’ could be released in every single application of certain products
(August 26, 2015) Everyday
cosmetic and cleaning products contain huge quantities of plastic particles,
which are released to the environment and could be harmful to marine life,
according to a new study.
Research at Plymouth University has shown almost 100,000
tiny ‘microbeads’ – each a fraction of a millimetre in diameter – could be
released in every single application of certain products, such as facial
scrubs.
The particles are incorporated as bulking agents and
abrasives, and because of their small size it is expected many will not be
intercepted by conventional sewage treatment, and are so released into rivers
and oceans.
Researchers, writing in Marine Pollution Bulletin, estimate
this could result in up to 80 tonnes of unnecessary microplastic waste entering
the sea every year from use of these cosmetics in the UK alone.
The latest study was led by PhD student Imogen Napper,
together with Professor of Marine Biology Richard Thompson, Professor of
Organic Geochemistry Steve Rowland and Postdoctoral Researcher of Analytical
Chemistry, Dr Adil Bakir.