Scientists and conservation advocates are going to issue a ban on microbeads, which are tiny particles of plastic found in toothpaste, body scrub, face wash, and other 'exfoliating' cosmetics. These lead to problem when microbeads are flushed down the drain, as they’re designed to be, and reach aquatic habitats.

Wastewater treatment plants can’t screen these particles because they only measure up to one millimeter in size. As a result of this, around 8 trillion microbeads enter rivers, lakes, and oceans every day.

As per a press release for a latest study on the spread and effects of the miniscule culprits, the particles are enough to cover 300 tennis courts per day. But this figure is not for the 99% of all microbeads that end up in sewage sludge and can also ultimately enter streams and oceans.

Marine animals can probably mistake the microbeads for food, and microbeads make their way up the food chain once the small animals fall prey to bigger ones. The small plastic specks are toxic for consumption because of the chemicals used in the manufacturing process, and pollutants absorbed by the microbeads in water.

According to some scientists microbeads can block the digestive systems of coral, eventually starving them to death.

OSU biologist Stephanie Green, author of study titled ‘Scientific Evidence Supports a Ban on Microbeads’ said a part of this problem can now begin with brushing teeth in the morning.