International journal of engineering research and technology, Feb 4, 2021
Microbeads are small, solid, manufactured plastic particles that are less than five millimeter in... more Microbeads are small, solid, manufactured plastic particles that are less than five millimeter in diameter and do not degrade or dissolve in water. They are often added to act as an exfoliant or application enhancer in personal hygiene products such as rinse-off cosmetics, personal care and cleaning products. The overuse of plastic results in accumulation of plastic waste in our ecosystems. Microbeads are not captured by most of the wastewater treatment systems. If they are washed down the drains after use, they can end up in rivers, lakes and oceans. The Netherlands was the first country to ban cosmetic microbeads in followed by Austria, Luxembourg, Belgium and Sweden. The United States enacted a legislative ban in December one year later. Although ban of microbeads in some developed countries has proven effective, but many countries do not take any legal actions. They are very small but collectively have a huge surface area. In the marine environment microbeads can both release and absorb toxins, which can then move throughout the food chain. In human beings plastic ingested causes internal bleeding, abrasion, ulcers and blockage of digestive tract. A recent review highlighted the bioaccumulation of microbeads via the food chain and its adverse effect on environment.
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Papers by Shrabana Ghosh