A new study suggests that an outright ban on the common use of plastic ‘microbeads’ from products that enter wastewater is the best way to protect water quality, wildlife, and resources.
The ‘Beat the Micro-bead’ app for smart phones has been developed by 30 NGOs in a bid to offer consumers more information about the presence of the plastic materials in personal care products.
Researchers at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science have received a grant to develop biodegradable PHA-based microbeads for cosmetics following concerns over environmental impact.
A study conducted by a global team of researchers into the use of titanium dioxide in a variety of consumer products suggests that it is foods and not cosmetics that are the main focus for concern.
Coating nanoparticles with a surfactant of the sort often found in personal care products may aid their removal from wastewater treatment systems, according to scientists in the UK.
Chemicals commonly used in personal care products remain in the
water system and may prove hazardous for both the environment and
human health, says a recent report.
