8 Trillion Tiny Microbeads Enter Water Sources Each Day: Scientists Call for Ban

First Posted: Sep 18, 2015 08:26 AM EDT

We may need to ban "microbeads" in order to save the world's oceans. Scientists have discovered that microbeads are spreading across the world's seas, affecting water quality, wildlife, and resources used by people.

"We're facing a plastic crisis and don't even know it," said Stephanie Green, co-author of the new study, in a news release. "Part of this problem can now start with brushing your teeth in the morning. Contaminants like these microbeads are not something our wastewater treatment plants were built to handle, and the overall amount of contamination is huge. The microbeads are very durable."

In this latest study, the researchers used extremely conservative methodology. They estimated that about 8 trillion microbeads per day are being emitted into aquatic habitats in the United States. This is enough to cover more than 300 tennis courts each day. The other 99 percent of the microbeads-which is another 800 trillion-end up in sludge from sewage plants. This sludge is often spread over areas of land, and the microbeads can then make their way into streams and ocean through runoff.

"Microbeads are just one of the many types of microplastic found in aquatic habitats and in the gut content of wildlife," said Chelsea Rochman, lead author of the study. "We've demonstrated in previous studies that microplastic of the same type, size and shape as many microbeads can transfer contaminants to animals and cause toxic effects. We argue that the scientific evidence regarding microplastic supports legislation calling for a removal of plastic microbeads from personal care products."

The new findings show that when it comes to microbeads, replacements should be found. With waste treatment facilities unable to completely remove them from wastewater, it's important to take strides to eliminate them from our oceans by no longer using them in products.

The findings are published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.

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TagsPollution, Ocean, plastics, Plastic, Water, Environment, Wildlife, fish, Marine, Marine Mammals