Ban these toxic beads choking planet Earth

Microbeads poisoning the sea are even in toothpaste and body gel

microbeads should be banned by britain without waiting for eU approval, campaigners said last night.

They urged Theresa may to take unilateral action against the plastics used in shower gels, toothpastes and anti-ageing creams.

microbeads are flushed into rivers and seas by the trillion where they attract toxins, threaten marine life and can reach the human food chain.

in an unprecedented joint statement, the campaigners accused beauty firms of ‘dragging their feet’.

The european commission is considering a ban but mPs from all parties and environmental groups want one now. and today the daily mail also calls for the beads to be banished.

Louise edge of Greenpeace, which signed the campaigners’ statement, said: ‘it’s common sense to most people that pouring plastic into the sea is a terrible idea.

‘Unfortunately most companies have been trying to get away with it for as long as they can.

‘and even now that companies are under the spotlight and seem to acknowledge that microbeads are a bad idea, they are still not making commitments that cover all their products or all kinds of plastic.’

cosmetic companies have offered a limited removal of the beads from their creams and scrubs by 2020.

but mary creagh, who chairs the commons environmental audit committee, said: ‘a voluntary approach to phasing out plastic microbeads simply won’t wash. We need a full legal ban.

‘There is nothing to stop us banning these products in this country. We would like to see our Government showing leadership.’

most microbeads are made from polyethylene, which is the same material used to make plastic bags, bulletproof vests and even knee replacements. once in the environment and seas they effectively become a magnet for toxins, such as pesticides. eaten by fish and shellfish they can find their way into the food chain.

a study published in australia last week showed for the first time that pollutants in microbeads are absorbed into the bodies of fish.

as many as 100,000 are washed into the sea following a single shower The UK daily total is put at 86 tons.

Tamara Galloway, a professor at exeter University, said: ‘We find pieces of plastic in every sample of seawater we study from round the world.

‘many marine animals ingest microbeads, mistaking them for food. They can then be lodged in the animals’ gut – preventing them from eating nutritious food. an average plate of oysters could contain up to 50 plastic particles. most people would probably prefer not to be eating microbeads with their food.’

The demand for a ban was made by a coalition including the marine conservation society, Greenpeace, the environmental investigation agency and Fauna & Flora international.

in the joint statement, they said: ‘There is huge public support for a ban on microbeads. ‘With companies dragging their feet on this issue, it’s now time for Theresa may’s Government to take comprehensive action on this crucial issue by banning any microplastics in household products which could end up going down the drain and into our seas.’

environment minister George eustace has signalled a willingness to impose a UK ban if the eU fails to step up.

Giving evidence to mPs earlier this year, he said: ‘We do not rule out doing it at national level.’

The cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery association said manufacturers were taking steps voluntarily.

its director general, dr christopher Flower, said: ‘a recommendation was issued by cosmetics europe in 2015 that such ingredients ought to be discontinued from use in products such as exfoliants and scrubs where the microbeads may ultimately end up in waterways. This course of action was chosen because it would have an impact far more quickly than waiting for any legislative ban.

‘although the date for final removal was stated at 2020, the majority of use would be discontinued long before then.’

some firms are either removing the beads or have never used them, including Unilever, Procter & Gamble, L’oreal, boots, clearasil, superdrug and marks & spencer.

Waitrose has announced its own ban on the sale of beauty products containing the beads. others, such as Johnson & Johnson, estee Lauder and elizabeth arden, are in the process of removing them.

a poll by campaign groups found more than 90 per cent of britons support an outright ban. and 84 per cent said they would be turned off from buying a product if it was found to be polluting the oceans.

The Us has introduced a ban to come into effect next year.

australia is considering similar action.

a Government spokesman said on Tuesday that a report from miss creagh’s committee calling for a ban on the beads was timely and would be examined in detail