Why have many jurisdictions banned microbeads in cosmetics?

• A. They are harmless skincare ingredients that improve skin health.
• B. They are large plastic beads that sink quickly and are easy to filter.
• C. They are tiny plastic particles used in exfoliants and banned due to pollution of waterways and ingestion by wildlife.
• D. They are biodegradable and thus have no environmental impact.

Answer: (C)

Microbeads are tiny plastic particles added to some cosmetics as exfoliants. Because of their very small size, they often slip through typical wastewater filtration and flow into rivers, lakes, and oceans. There they persist in the environment, are ingested by wildlife, and can move up the food chain, causing harm to ecosystems and potentially to humans who rely on these resources. They can also carry or attract toxic chemicals. For these reasons, many places have banned their use in cosmetics to reduce waterway pollution and protect wildlife. The correct choice describes them as tiny plastic particles used in exfoliants and banned due to pollution of waterways and ingestion by wildlife. The other statements mischaracterize microbeads as harmless, large, or biodegradable with no environmental impact.