Polymeerimellejä

Polymeerimellejä, also known as polymer microbeads, are small plastic particles that are often used in personal care products such as exfoliating scrubs, toothpastes, and cosmetics. They are typically made from polyethylene, polypropylene, or polystyrene and are designed to be small and lightweight, making them effective for their intended purposes. However, their use has raised significant environmental concerns due to their persistence in the environment and potential impact on wildlife.

Polymeerimellejä are often mistakenly ingested by marine animals, leading to ingestion-related deaths and injuries. They can also be ingested by humans, particularly children, through contaminated food and water. The small size of these microbeads makes them difficult to remove from the environment, and they can persist for hundreds of years.

Due to these environmental concerns, many countries and organizations have implemented bans or restrictions on the use of polymeerimellejä in personal care products. For example, the European Union has banned the use of microbeads in cosmetics, and several U.S. states have also implemented similar bans. Despite these efforts, the use of polymeerimellejä continues in some products, and their impact on the environment remains a significant concern.