Microbead Ban Moves To Senate Without Opposition

A bill that would ban microbeads in Indiana is making its way to the Senate floor. The measure did not face any opposition when it came up for debate Thursday.

Microbeads are commonly found in beauty and personal products. They can also now be found in the state’s waterways because the beads are not biodegradable and are slipping past water treatment facilities. The bill’s co-sponsor Ed Charbonneau says microbeads pose a significant environmental concern.  

“They’re exactly what they sound like - real small pieces of plastic that don’t dissolve and get into our water systems, our streams, are eaten by fish or wildlife and end up in our bodies,” Charbonneau sais.

If the bill passes, Indiana companies couldn’t include microbeads in their products beginning in 2018 and they would have to stop selling personal care products containing the beads by 2019.

The measure passed its second reading and now heads to the floor for a final vote.