Plastics on our face

PHOTO BY 5GYRES

Just today, during my environmental engineering lecture, a guest speaker came to talk to us about the micro plastics that is floating in our waters. These plastic particles are usually less than 5mm in size and are often mistaken as food (fish eggs) by birds, fishes and other wildlife. Wildlife researchers have found plastic pellets in  the bellies of fishes and birds. When ingested, it causes liver and stomach problems, fishes and birds feel full although they are not actually consuming actual food and eventually die from it. 

 Albatross with belly full of plastic bottle caps

This Rainbow Runner, was found in the mid-Pacific Ocean in 2008 with 17 micro plastic bits found in its stomach.

PHOTOS BY 5GYRES

So how did all these micro plastic end up in the ocean? One of the sources highlighted by the speaker today was the use of plastic beads in exfoliating face and body washes. While it removes dead skin cells and give consumers a clean feeling, it is particularly problematic as it so small and is hard to be effectively removed by water treatment plants. 

Facial scrub which contains micro beads with Neutrogena Deep Clean containing the most.

PHOTOS BY 5GYRES

As responsible consumer, we should help minimise the problem by switching to cosmetics products that uses natural exfoliating beads. We can also look out for other major companies like Unilever, The Body Shop and Johnson & Johnson that have agreed to remove micro plastics from their products by 2015! 

For those who wants to do more, you can take part in the consumer petition campaign by 5Gyres called "Get Plastic Off My Face And Out Of My Water Now!"