Microbeads and the Boers War
Introduction
In 2018, the United Kingdom has decided to prohibit the use of microbeads in cosmetics and care products of our pets. This decision has surprised many consumers, partly because of the ignorance of the composition of the products they use daily in their toilet. In this post, we will explain better what microbeads are to help you understand why their prohibition is imminent in many other countries. What are microbeads?
Developing
Microbeads, better known in Spanish as ‘microspheres’, are one of the most common types of microplastics. These tiny particles measure between 0.1 micrometers and 5 millimeters, and are used very frequently in the elaboration of toilet and care products, cats, etc. Due to their powerful abrasive effect, microbeads are usually present in dentifrices that we use daily in oral hygiene. Depending on the product, microbeads can represent 10% of their composition.
However, these microplastics are also integrated into exfoliating products, liquid soaps or in pets, bath gels, makeup, sunscreen, among others, among others. They can even be present in cleaning products made for home and vehicle hygienization. Microperlas can negatively affect both people and animals and the environment.
According to a study developed by Napper & Thompson, a single application of a product containing microbeads can release around 90,000 microspheres. But the most worrying fact is that conventional water treatment systems are not able to detect the presence of microbeads. Then these microplastic particles return to the seas, increasing the contamination of aquatic ecosystems. It is estimated that, since 1950, about 8 billion plastic metric tons were produced by human activities.;around six billion tons of garbage that, for the most part have fallen to the oceans.
For turn, microbeads have spread throughout the world with amazing and worrying speed. To give you an idea, only in the Arctic Ocean there are already about 300 billion microplastic particles. These particles accumulate in the tissues of fish and other aquatic animals. In addition to altering their metabolism, microperlas end up incorporating into human food and, consequently, they also accumulate in our body.
The prohibition in the United Kingdom, an example for the world considering the impact of microplastics on ecosystems and in human and animal health, the United Kingdom has decided to approve the most important prohibition of microbeads in history. After analyzing the results of a public consultation, the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has determined that the use of microperlas in the manufacture of cosmetics and products for cleaning and personal care is prohibited.
Also for pet products. However, sunscreens and makeup are not yet affected by this new determination. The need to prohibit microbeads in this type of products is still being evaluated by a specialist committee.While the measure has a local scope, it serves as an example for the world and marks a new course in the field of industrial expansion and sustainability.
As Greenpeace England points out, the decision is excellent news for the environment and reaffirms the leadership of the United Kingdom in fighting microplastics in the oceans. The reaction of the companies after the prohibition as it was to be imagined, the reaction of cosmetics companies and personal care products and for pets, has been negative.
conclusion
As they claim, the prohibition generates significant economic implications, since it forces them to change the formula of their products. On the other hand, NGOs involved with the care of the environment reaffirm that the costs of ocean pollution will be much higher in the long term. They also point out that it is possible and economically viable to replace microplastics in the industry, through reasonable investments.
In addition, the need to take urgent measures before the situation of our seas is irreversible is highlighted, threatening the survival of numerous species and, consequently, of the human being. The prohibition of microplastics should be, according to environmental companies, a pattern interest and relevance for society and their representatives.
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