Microplastics shouldn’t be in our makeup

Plastic is nearly everywhere. It’s in our clothes, electronics, furniture, and so much of the packaging around our food and other products. It’s also in our cosmetics and cleaning products as plastic microbeads. As plastic breaks down into microplastics, it spreads throughout the ecosystem, spreading toxic chemicals and polluting our environment.

What are plastic microbeads?

Plastic microbeads are a form of microplastic particles that are 5mm or smaller in size. They are often intentionally added to  products such as toothpaste, exfoliants, and cleaning products. Given we put toothpaste in our mouths, use exfoliants on our skin, and cover our houses with cleaning products, it is no wonder that these microplastics have been discovered in our lungs, blood, placentas, breast milk, and brains. 

After the product’s use, these microplastic beads usually go down the drain. If they are not filtered out, they drain out to bodies of water. To wildlife, these small pellets can look like food. Animals like fish and seabirds can ingest them.

How do microplastics enter human bodies? 

Plastic microbead runoff can cause plastic to accumulate in the food chain, as larger marine mammals that eat these fish are also affected by the plastic-filled fish they hunt. This process spreads plastic throughout an ecosystem.

But these consequences don’t just impact fish. When humans eat these fish, microplastics are passed on to them.

Why are plastic microbeads harmful?

We’re still learning about the health impacts of digesting microplastics, but we do know plastic is not designed to be eaten.

Initial studies have shown microplastics can cause unrestrained cell and tissue growth, which can increase cancer risk. A scientific review held in 2022 also disclosed that micro- and nanoplastics can cause health issues such as inflammation, cell damage, and metabolism disruption, among others. 

How can we stop microbead pollution?

In 2015, CALPIRG helped pass a ban on plastic microbeads in rinse off personal care products, like exfoliants and face washes. That was an important step forward to reducing microplastic pollution. But, the law still excludes leave-on products, like plastic in clean products or plastic glitter in makeup and cleaning products, which are a major contributor to today’s plastic microbead pollution.

Now, a new bill introduced by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner, AB 823, prohibits the sale of leave-on microbeads and plastic glitter in personal care, cleaning, and coating products starting January 1, 2029. We know microplastics cause lasting damage in humans and animals. To protect Californians, the legislature must take action and pass this bill.

What can you do?

To finally do away with harmful plastic microbeads, legislators need to hear support from their constituents. Take action today and urge your legislators to get the job done and finally get plastic microbeads out of all personal care products by voting YES on AB 823. 

By phasing out plastic microbeads, we prevent harmful plastics from infiltrating our bodies.