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