Microbeads

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Published on Thursday, 09 April 2015 14:51
Written by editor
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PAOV – There's a new petition taking off on Change.org, and we think you might be interested in signing it.

Cette pétition prend de l'ampleur sur Change.org. Souhaitez-vous la signer? Elle demande à Environnement Canada de bannir l'usage des microbilles de plastique que l'on retrouve dans certains produits cosmétiques et qui contaminent les chaînes alimentaires marines.


Environment Canada: Protect Our Waters: Enforce Ban on Plastic Microbeads!

Tyler Doose
Canada Sign the petition

Environment Canada is currently reviewing whether or not to ban plastic micro beads, this is the perfect time to educate ourselves and speak up to protect one of Canada's most beautiful and sacred commodities, our Water.

For decades cosmetic and hygienic companies have been adding small exfoliant particles to products known as micro beads. These particles, normally less than 5 millimetres, are non-decomposing and easily pass through most regional water treatment systems and end up within our lakes, rivers, and oceans.

Due to their small size they often are suspended on or just below the surface and resemble what many aquatic species see as food. Research conducted by the State University of New York revealed that there were an average of 44 micro beads within the gastrointestinal tracts of marine birds around Lake Erie. These micro beads, while passing through treatment systems and suspended within waterways, are able to absorb hydrophobic pollutants and end up within the food chain as a result.

It wasn't until 2012 that studies were conducted to understand the sheer amount of micro beads within the great lakes. It was found that there's an average of 43,000 micro beads per square kilometre! This is double the average of both the South Pacific Gyre and the North Atlantic Gyre!

This needs to end, we must stand up to protect what already is and will ALWAYS be a crucial resource.

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