After learning that the Canadian government is taking steps to ban the use of microbeads in personal-care products due to environmental threats they cause, Rep. Candice Miller (R-MI) spoke out to urge the United States to follow suit.
“I applaud Canada’s recent decision to ban microbeads from personal-care products,” Miller said. “These synthetic microbeads pose a serious threat to our lakes, which account for over 20 percent of the world’s fresh water drinking supply, and it is imperative that we work together with our northern neighbor to protect them.”
Over the last decade, microbeads have been a popular additive for many personal hygiene products, such as toothpastes, soaps and hand sanitizers. However, when these microbeads are washed into rivers, lakes and streams, they create a number of hazards related to wildlife and also the production of fresh drinking water.
The Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 introduced by Reps. Fred Upton (R-MI) and Frank Pallone (R-NJ) would amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to ban all products that contain synthetic plastic microbeads. Miller co-sponsored this legislation.
“Earlier this year, I co-sponsored legislation that would preserve and protect the purity of our waters for generations to come,” Miller said. “It is my hope that Canada’s action on this issue will prompt U.S. officials to follow suit and ban microbeads.”
Miller has represented Michigan’s 10th District in the House of Representatives since 2003.