WASHINGTON — They are in the facewash that exfoliates your skin. They’re in toothpaste to add color and a sparkly appearance. And in Maryland, plastic microbeads are the subject of a proposed ban.
Maryland’s Senate has already approved the ban, which would prohibit the sale or manufacture of products containing microbeads, which are found mainly in face scrubs and toothpaste. Conservationists say the beads flush down drains and straight into area water systems — and, mistaken for food, they are ingested by fish.
If passed, the law would take effect in 2018.
Some companies have already pledged to stop making their products with plastic microbeads, while Illinois and New Jersey have passed similar state bans.
WTOP’s Kate Ryan contributed to this report.
