THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	31
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

urging the Department of Health to raise public awareness regarding the adverse effects and dangers caused by the use of microbeads in personal-care products.

 

 

     WHEREAS, microbeads are tiny plastic particles found in hundreds of personal-care products, including facial wash, exfoliating scrubs, toothpaste, and shower gel; and

 

     WHEREAS, microbeads are non-biodegradable and pass through wastewater treatment plant filters and easily flow into our oceans, lakes, and rivers; and

 

     WHEREAS, one bottle of facial cleanser may contain 350,000 microbeads, and American consumers buy personal-care products containing more than 573,000 pounds of microbeads each year; and

 

     WHEREAS, microbeads absorb toxic substances from the environment and are consumed by fish and other marine animals because the microbeads can resemble marine food substances; and

 

     WHEREAS, humans subsequently consume fish and other marine life that contain toxic microbeads; and

 

     WHEREAS, there are alternative natural, food-based exfoliants that are as effective as microbeads, such as ground almond shells, sugar, salt, oatmeal, and fruit pits; and

 

WHEREAS, several large companies have already stopped using microbeads or are phasing out the use of microbeads due to their adverse effects on the environment and public health; and

 

     WHEREAS, Illinois recently passed legislation to phase out the sale and manufacture of personal-care products that contain microbeads; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2015, that this body urges the Department of Health to raise public awareness regarding the adverse effects and dangers caused by the use of microbeads in personal-care products; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Personal-care products; Microbeads