‘ Cosmetics behind dwindling fish population’
New Delhi, April 30: Many cosmetics available in the Indian market contain microplastics or microbeads, a new study by an environment research and policy advocacy body has found.
Microbeads are nonbiodegradable, tiny plastic particles, that pose a serious threat to the environment, especially marine animals.
Referring to the study, Toxics Link said next time when people clean their face with a scrub or facewash, they should think twice, as they might be contributing to the dwindling fish population.
The new study, “Eco Personal Care Product, Microplastics in Cosmetics”, was carried
◗ Referring to the study, Toxics Link said next time when people clean their face with a scrub or facewash, they should think twice, as they might be contributing to the dwindling fish population.
out to investigate the presence of microbeads in personal care and cosmetic products ( PCCP) available and sold in India.
Different categories of rinse- off and live- on cosmetic products of varied leading brands were tested for microplastics in the study which found that 28 per cent of all the tested products contained microplastics.
“50 per cent of the facewash products and 67 per cent of the facial scrubs are found to contain microplastics. Predominating microplastics detected in the product samples is polyethylene,” it said in a statement.
It said that microplastics in cosmetics were being banned in many countries. The Bureau of Indian Standards ( BIS) had also classified microbeads as “unsafe” for use in cosmetic products but their use was still allowed.
Microbeads, generally smaller than 1 mm in size, were added to personal care products for various functions such as exfoliation and for its abrasive property, it pointed out.
A total of 18 personal care products covering 16 major consumer brands were collected and tested in a certified laboratory under the scope of this study.
“The results indicate presence of microplastics in most of the rinse off cosmetics such as face wash and scrubs. 50 per cent of facewash samples and 67 per cent of scrubs tested confirmed the presence of these tiny pollutants. Microplastic was not detected in any of the live on products included in the study,” it said.