Microbeads Essay

1346 Words3 Pages

Intro Microplastic particles in wastewater have become a global issue that is having detrimental effects on not only the water system, but the food chain as well. Many countries have recognized these tiny plastic particles as a problem, and are in the process of banning manufacturers from producing products such as toothpastes and body cleansers that contain polyethylene microbeads. The objective of this review is to shed light on the prevalence of microbeads in our water systems they cannot be filtered out of the water due to their small size. This in turn is putting many ecosystems at risk, and could potentially be quite harmful to humans in the long run.

Relevance of water quality issue This issue affects mankind, aquatic species, and
Biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) microbeads are soluble and can biodegrade in both aerobic and anaerobic environments. Substituting these PHA microbeads for the current PCB microbeads being used in exfoliates, cosmetics, and toothpaste would significantly minimize the potential threat that the current microbeads are posing.

Summary

Microbeads are continuously entering our rivers, lakes, oceans and seas. Many studies, including the ones previously mentioned have indicated that microbeads can pose immediate and long term threat to human beings and marine environments.

Unfortunately, there is not enough reliable data and research yet to indicate how many microbeads are polluting the water system. Several states and countries have either banned, or are in the process of banning products containing microbeads. These are steps in the right direction, however the only stable solution will have to be an amalgamation of more scientific research to figure out technologically innovative and effective initiatives to reduce, reuse and recycle the plastics, whether micro or macro, that are polluting the

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