All personal care products like toothpaste, face wash, scrubbers, and shampoos contains thousands of microbeads, tiny plastic pellets that can cause severe harm to body. As per latest news released on Wednesday, New York City Council is planning to ban use of microbeads in products.

Microbeads are so small in size that they can enter into lungs and cause many respiratory problems like asthma bronchitis. As per statistical report released by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman in 2014, about 19 tons of microbeads end up in waterways throughout the state. Eric even raised his voice twice to ban use of the microbeads across the state but all his efforts went in vain.

John Flanagan, new Senate Majority Leader, earlier promised to help ‘people’s business’ but now stepped back to allow a fair vote. “I hate being the bearer of bad news, but despite the marketing, not a single New Yorker is cleaner or more beautiful today because of plastic pellets in their face wash or toothpaste. Microbeads are as pointless as they come”, said Saima Anjam, environmental health director at Environmental Advocates of New York.

Saima said that local governments and leaders are putting their step forward to fill in the gap created by Senate. Republicans and Democrats should be appreciated for taking keen interest in understanding the needs of local residents. Big industries are recklessly polluting water ways by using microbeads in making of their products. Earlier, they promised that they will not use microbeads in their products anymore, but none of them implemented it yet.

Saima added that Senator Flanagan should keep his promise in 2016 by allowing senators to pass the Microbead-Free Waters Act.