Close X
Friday, September 27, 2024
ADVT 
Health

Your Facial Scrub May Contain Millions Of Plastic Particles

Darpan News Desk IANS, 27 Aug, 2015 12:16 PM
    Everyday cosmetic and cleaning products contain huge quantities of plastic particles, which are released in the environment and could be harmful to marine life, says a new study.
     
    Almost 100,000 tiny 'microbeads' - each a fraction of a millimetre in diameter - could be released in every single application of certain products, such as facial scrubs, the findings showed.
     
    "As the study unfolded I was really shocked to see the quantity of microplastics apparent in these everyday cosmetics,” said one of the lead researchers Imogen Napper of Plymouth University in England.
     
    The particles are incorporated as bulking agents and abrasives, and because of their small size it is expected many will not be intercepted by conventional sewage treatment, and are so released into rivers and oceans.
     
    This could result in up to 80 tonnes of unnecessary microplastic waste entering the sea every year from use of these cosmetics in Britain alone.
     
    Microplastics have been used to replace natural exfoliating materials in cosmetics and have been reported in a variety of products such as hand cleansers, soaps, toothpaste, shaving foam, bubble bath, sunscreen and shampoo.
     
    For this study, researchers chose brands of facial scrubs which listed plastics among their ingredients, and these were subjected to vacuum filtration to obtain the plastic particles.
     
    Subsequent analysis using electron microscopy showed that each 150 ml of the products could contain between 137,000 and 2.8 million microparticles.
     
    "Currently, there are reported to be 80 facial scrubs in the UK market which contain plastic material, however some companies have indicated they will voluntarily phase them out from their products. In the meantime, there is very little the consumer can do to prevent this source of pollution," Napper noted.
     
    The findings appeared in the journal Marine Pollution Bulletin.

    MORE Health ARTICLES

    New diabetes, obesity drug: Indian-American's promising research

    New diabetes, obesity drug: Indian-American's promising research
    Two researchers at Indiana University, including an Indian-American, are leading the way towards developing a new potential non-insulin drug for diabetes and obesity, which needs to be taken only once a week.

    New diabetes, obesity drug: Indian-American's promising research

    Build super muscles with soy-dairy protein

    Build super muscles with soy-dairy protein
    Not happy with gym results on your muscles? Try a blend of soy and dairy proteins after resistance exercises as this has now been touted as the best way to build muscle mass.

    Build super muscles with soy-dairy protein

    'Love hormone' bonds animals like humans

    'Love hormone' bonds animals like humans
    And you thought you had a patent on 'love hormone' when it comes to showing affection! Dogs too have oxytocin and release it in a good quantity when in love or looking for bonding.

    'Love hormone' bonds animals like humans

    Can you believe it? Metabolism existed even before origin of life, reveales study

    Can you believe it? Metabolism existed even before origin of life, reveales study
    The mystery behind how the first organisms on earth could have become metabolically active has been unlocked.

    Can you believe it? Metabolism existed even before origin of life, reveales study

    Fly's genome study offers hope for sleeping sickness

    Fly's genome study offers hope for sleeping sickness
    With genome decoding of tsetse fly that causes the potentially fatal sleeping sickness disease, scientists have discovered new clues to the diet, vision and reproductive strategies of the insect.

    Fly's genome study offers hope for sleeping sickness

    Technology to catch dozing drivers on the go

    Technology to catch dozing drivers on the go
    Long rides at night can now become a lot more pleasant and safe if you listen to researchers who have developed an inexpensive and easier way to find out when the person behind the wheel is about to nod off.

    Technology to catch dozing drivers on the go