Rep. Miller Cosponsors Legislation Aimed at Banning Microbeads from Consumer Products
Rep. Miller says legislation is necessary to protect Great Lakes from plastic microbeads commonly found in body washes, toothpaste and other personal care products
Washington, D.C. – June 3, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Today, Rep. Candice Miller (MI-10) issued the following statement after cosponsoring the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 (H.R. 1321), legislation aimed at banning the production and distribution of household products that contain synthetic microbeads:
“Recent studies have already identified high concentrations of synthetic microbeads in our Great Lakes from personal care products like exfoliating soaps and scrubs. The plastic microbeads pass right through our water filtration and treatment plants and attract other pollutants in the Lakes before being consumed by fish and wildlife, thus becoming part of our food chain.
“These microbeads pose a serious threat to the Great Lakes, which account for over 20 percent of the world’s fresh water drinking supply, and it is imperative that we take action. A small number of states have already implemented a ban on microbeads, and Michigan is considering a similar ban. However, the majority of states have yet to act, and, while I am normally very hesitant to initiate federal intervention, it is necessary at this point to ensure the protection of our Lakes. That’s why, today, I joined my colleagues in supporting the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015, which is aimed at creating a nationwide ban that will stop microbeads from further infiltrating our precious waterways.”
The Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 (H.R. 1321) was introduced by Rep. Fred Upton (MI-6) and Rep. Frank Pallone (NJ-6), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and would amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to ban products that contain synthetic plastic mircobeads.
