Is your toothpaste harming the oceans? Bethany Wolfe 3rd

summary:
  Studies have found that trillions of tiny microbeads are causing a major problem in the environment. Although they are designed to wash down drains, they are quickly adding to microplastic debris contaminating oceans and freshwater lakes.
 Because of their size and amount, waste-water treatment plants can't handle the tiny foe. Eventually, the microbeads settle into sludge runoff that contaminates waterways and marine life. Scientists are worried that chemicals in the microplastic ingested by marine life can transfer to human consumers. Scientists are calling for a ban on microbeads in personal care products, such as soap and toothpaste. This ban has been fulfilled in Illinois, Connecticut, Colorado, and New Jersey. They are also looking for a total ban on bioaccumulative and toxic materials used in personal care products.
analysis:
I think this is a very persistent issue that few of us recognize. This article encourages us to be more aware of our footprint on the world. Who knew the  little beads in your grapefruit soap could harm marine life and damage ecosystems? And that those same beads could in turn harm us after consuming contaminated fish? I sure didn't. Hopefully, more states will recognize and confront this issue to preserve marine ecosystems.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/19/us/8-trillion-microbeads-pollute-water-daily-irpt/index.html