NY Attorney General Eric Schneiderman calls for statewide ban on soap microbeads

New York's Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is calling for a statewide ban on microbeads, the tiny pellets found in soaps and body washes. A new study found that 1.3 tons of microbeads get washed

News 12 Staff

May 16, 2014, 2:04 AM

Updated 3,725 days ago

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New York's Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is calling for a statewide ban on microbeads, the tiny pellets found in soaps and body washes.
A new study found that 1.3 tons of microbeads get washed down the drain and into Long Island's water every year.
The report says the microbeads act as sponges for toxic chemicals. When consumed by fish and wildlife, microbeads allow pollutants to enter the food chain.
"The little fish eats the beads. The bigger fish eats the little fish and the microbeads eventually end up in our dinner," says Maureen Dolan Murphy, of Citizens Campaign for the Environment.
The state Assembly has already approved the ban, which has moved to the state Senate. If passed, the ban would begin in 2016.
 
 
 
 


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