Glitter Eyes- Judged Too Polluting, Will Glitters Soon Be Banned

Glitter is also plastic microbeads whose impact on the environment and health has negative effects. Yet they are the big forgotten public debate. Whether you're a fan of nude or you swear by the makeup very visible, there is a product that pretty much everyone agrees: chunky body glitter. Big, small, multicolored or more sober (silver, gold, white ...), there is something for all tastes and they are at the origin of tendencies more or less memorable (we think in particular of this makeup artist who had realized a whole makeup just with glitter). Yes, but here it is: this passion for all that glitters would have a very important impact for the environment.

 True party accessory, chunky body glitter would be more dangerous than one might think. Because of this, these particles, considered as microplastics, represent more than 85% of the plastic in the ocean and threaten the aquatic fauna. For this reason, scientists are asking for their ban. They inspire only positive things, but yet have a very negative ecological impact. According to an article by The Independent published in mid-November, several scientists have been calling on governments for several weeks to ban chunky body glitter. The reason? Make tiny pieces of plastic, they have a harmful effect on the environment and especially on the oceans . In question: their size. These particles, considered as microbeads - or plastic parts of less than five millimeters, can indeed pass through water filtration systems without problems because of their small size. In addition, they do not disintegrate and even constitute attractive foods for marine animals ... and then end up in human organisms when these animals are eaten.

The danger of glitters often forgotten But the problem of plastic microbeads has been known for years and Europe is thinking about banning them, says the Huffington Post website . Because these particles, contained in a lot of cosmetic products (in particular the exfoliating gel), invaded the oceans. Nearly 51 trillion pieces of microplastic would be in our seas, according to some estimates. With dramatic impacts. However, straws are regularly forgotten when we talk about the problem of plastic microbeads. A problem raised several times since last summer. "When people think of sequins, they think of parties and glittery outfits, but sequins are present in products that we use daily and that we do not think as much, such as makeup pallets," says anthropologist of the New Zealand environment Trisia Farrelly to The Independent .

Ingested by animals

Trisia Farrelly, environmental anthropologist, estimated that " all types of flakes should be banned because they are microplastics that inevitably end up polluting the environment ." More precisely, as they do not disintegrate " the toxins of the plastic and attacked with the plastic can be ingested by the animals. Says Lara Milligan from the University of Florida. Canada and the United States already ban some microplastics, but straws are not specifically targeted. In response to scientists' warnings, 19 UK nursery schools removed glitz from their creative Christmas workshops. Companies have also chosen to turn to biodegradable equivalents.

Biodegradable flakes?

According to Dr. Farrelly, straws, when decomposing, release chemicals that disrupt the hormonal function of animals and humans who consume them. These dysfunctions are particularly associated with the development of cancers and neurological diseases, hence the desire of scientists to see them banned. But at each discussion of microbeads, straws are forgotten, as shown by the ban on their presence in cosmetics in 2018 in New Zealand. A ban on microbeads but not chunky body glitter.

To avoid further filling the oceans of plastic , there are only two options left: the manufacture of biodegradable flakes and consumer awareness, which remains more complicated. "I'm tired of hearing that consumers have to be responsible and avoid consuming this type of product, it's literally impossible," says Dr. Farrelly, "it's up to producers to be responsible and offer safer alternatives, non-toxic and durable ".

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