Microbead Ban Illinois has just made Illinois the first state to ban the ingredient from being used in personal care products. On Sunday, Gov. Pat Quinn just signed the bill which has made official the Microbead Ban Illinois.
Microbeads are small synthetic plastic beads commonly used in body washes and soaps, helping exfoliate the body. They may be popular ingredients in daily hygiene products. However, experts have raised concerns on the plastic's contribution to water pollution. Microbeads are not bio-degradable. Hence, when they are washed out onto sewers, they end up as sediments in Great Lakes where they are most likely eaten by fish and wildlife. Because of the threat it poses to the environment and eventually humans, WICS reports that the Governor of Illinois has taken action against the ingredient through the Microbead Ban Illinois.
The Chicago Tribune also reported on Sunday that Quinn is also hoping that other states in the U.S. will follow his footsteps and just limit the use of the ingredient. It may seem like cost-cutting, however, The Examiner said that the Governor's primary reason for the Microbead Ban Illinois is to save the environment.
Quinn said, "Banning microbeads will help ensure clean waters across Illinois and set an example for our nation to follow. Lake Michigan and the many rivers and lakes across our state are among our most important natural resources . We must do everything necessary to safeguard them."
According to The Associated Press, the Microbead Ban Illinois is a law which prohibits the manufacture of microbeads by the end of 2018, and the sale of microbeads by the end of 2019. Also, the potential sale of all soaps and personal care products which use microbeads will be stopped. Despite the Microbead Ban Illinois however, products likening to toothpastes and acne washes will reportedly get an extra year in following suit with the new rules.
In a statement, Quinn said the Microbead Ban Illinois will help protect Lake Michigan from being contaminated with the beads. KSDK reports that lawmakers in other states, such as New York and California, are now considering similar bans because of the Microbead Ban Illinois.
Several environmentalist groups are now praising the action of the Governor with the Microbead Ban Illinois. Yet, criticism cannot be avoided and there have been some people expressing their concerns on the effect of the new law in the long haul.
Microbead Ban Illinois is the beginning of a new consciousness on the effects on the environment of the ingredients people use to keep clean and beautiful. Illinois may be one state, but if the bill pans out towards other states, the effects to the environment and ultimately humans are also enormous.
To watch a report on the new bill being signed, see video below.
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