MEMORANDUM OF OPPOSITION Plastic Microbead Pollution in New York’s Waters S.4403A – O’Mara An Act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to prohibiting the manufacture and sale of personal care products and over-the-counter drugs containing synthetic plastic microbeads BACKGROUND Plastic microbeads are a common ingredient used in over 100 different personal care products on the market today, including facial scrubs, shampoos, soaps, and toothpastes. More than 19 tons of microbeads are washed down the drain in New York annually. Research shows that microbeads are passing through sewage treatment, polluting waters throughout NYS. Researchers have discovered plastic microbeads in Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Cayuga Lake, Oneida Lake, the Erie Canal, Mohawk River, Hudson River, and Long Island Sound. Once in the water, microbeads, like other plastics, attract and accumulate certain toxic chemicals. Microbeads are mistaken as food, and consumed by fish and other aquatic life. The toxic chemicals can be passed up the food chain to larger fish, wildlife, and ultimately humans. JUSTIFICATION S.4403A claims to address the problem of banning plastic microbeads, but rather it exacerbates the problem by creating loopholes that allow for additional plastic pollution. The legislation has a restrictive definition of plastic that exempts some types of plastic. Defining plastic as those molded at high heat, linking monomers, and retaining their defined shapes after disposal, allows for plastics that degrade slightly in an unspecified time period. By allowing so-called “biodegradable plastic” microbeads to be exempt from the ban, this legislation continues to allow plastic pollution into New York’s waters. “Biodegradable plastic” is a misleading claim, because “biodegradable” plastic can persist as long as traditional plastics. It is particularly difficult for plastic to biodegrade in an aquatic environment, because there is not enough heat and light. Biodegradable plastic does not degrade into benign substances. Biodegradable plastics may also contain the same chemical additives and accumulate the same toxins as traditional plastics. CITIZENS CAMPAIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT OPPOSES S.4403A –PLASTIC MICROBEAD POLLUTION IN NEW YORKS WATERS Citizens Campaign for the Environment is an 80,000 member, non-profit, non-partisan organization that empowers communities and advocates solutions to protect public health and the natural environment. www.citizenscampaign.org
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