Wirch, Ohnstad to Author Legislation Curbing Use of Harmful Microbeads

Plastic Bits Added to Personal Care Products End Up in Waterways, Pose Danger to Wildlife

Madison- Senator Bob Wirch (D-Somers) and Representative Tod Ohnstad (D-Kenosha) today announced their intention to introduce legislation addressing a growing threat to the state’s natural resources. Microbeads are tiny plastic balls that are sometimes added to personal care products such as face and body washes and toothpastes to exfoliate the skin and polish teeth. The beads are non-biodegradable and small enough to slip through sewage system filters, ending up in rivers and lakes. They have the ability to absorb toxic chemicals and post a hazard to fish and other wildlife, as well as humans who consume the fish; they also have the potential to pollute soil if they end up in sewage sludge used as fertilizer.

“These products with microbeads are fairly new to the market, but we have quickly seen the negative impact that they are having on out natural resources. There are millions of these things in Lake Michigan alone. Small changes in these fragile ecosystems can have devastating ripple effects. We should join a growing number of states and correct this problem now,” Wirch said.

Microbeads are added to hundreds of different products; one tube of face wash can contain more than 350,000 microbeads. Studies of Lake Michigan have already found millions of plastic microbeads; some scientists believe the actual number could be in the tens of millions. They become coated with toxins like PCBs and can be eaten by fish and other marine life. Scientists believe that those toxins could be working their way back up the food chain to humans.

“As we learn more about this emerging issue, we are realizing more and more how urgent it is that we take action now. Not only could these microbeads irreparably harm our natural resources and wildlife, but they pose a real human health risk, as well. This is common-sense legislation, and I hope to have broad bipartisan support,” stated Ohnstad.

A number of state legislatures have begun taking steps to address the issue. An Illinois bill phasing out the manufacturing of products containing plastic microbeads by December 31, 2017, recently passed the Illinois Senate, 54-0, and at least four other states are considering similar bills. Wirch and Ohnstad plan to introduce their legislation when the next legislative session begins in January 2015.