Ban Microbeads From Face Scrubs Ban Microbeads From Face Scrubs, most people like smooth, exfoliated skin. But did you know that our lakes are being polluted with tiny plastic beads from these products? The polyethylene beads are most commonly found in exfoliating facial scrubs, but they also appear in body washes and toothpastes. Americans buy products containing 573,000 pounds of them every year. Incredibly, a single tube of Johnson & Johnson facial scrub Clean & Clear, for example, contains 330,000 beads. Ban Microbeads From Face Scrubs Environmentalists are hoping that the move by Illinois to ban the sale of facial exfoliators and body scrubs containing microbeads will mark the beginning of the end for the plastic pollutants. Illinois this week became the first jurisdiction in the world to ban the plastic spheres from personal care products. Four other states are poised to follow suit, part of a rising awareness of the environmental concerns posed by the tiny plastics. "Banning microbeads will help ensure clean waters across Illinois and set an example for our nation to follow," Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn said. "Lake Michigan and the many rivers and lakes across our state are among our most important natural resources." Ban Microbeads From Face Scrubs These microbeads wash down our drains, accumulate in our oceans and, according to a recent study, even flow out into our troubled Great Lakes. There, the tiny plastic beads can be mistaken for fish food. If just eating plastic isn't bad enough for the fish, these beads also soak up toxins like PCBs and pesticides in the water. However, while Illinois is taking productive steps in the right direction, eliminating plastic beads won’t solve the entire problem of tiny, plastic parts in the waterways. The floating detritus of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, for example, contains mostly small pieces of plastic broken up from larger ones. Solution still needs to be offered to clear this catastrophe, but for the present, at least getting rid of plastic beads will inhibit further addition to water pollution. Charleston Alpha Care Clinics The Alpha Care Clinics in Charleston SC focus on exercise, proper nutrition and healthy living. To learn more about Alpha Care Clinics in Charleston SC call 843-824-2273 to request additional information. We have offices in four convenient locations serving Mount Pleasant, Summerville, North Charleston, and James Island.