Business

In odd twist, industry agrees to ban ‘microbeads’

By John Flesher
Published June 18, 2014 8:58pm ET
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In odd twist, industry agrees to ban ‘microbeads’
FILE - In this 2012 file photo provided by 5gyres.org, a sample of "microbeads" collected in eastern Lake Erie is shown on the face of a penny. Illinois environmentalists expecting a battle with business over a call for a ban on the tiny bits of plastic used in personal care products, found the industry quickly collaborated. With similar bans pending in at least three other large states, the extinction of microbeads, now showing up inside fish that are caught for human consumption, is happening in an unusually short amount of time. (AP Photo/Courtesy 5gyres.org, Carolyn Box, File) | Carolyn Box

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Environmentalists in Illinois expected a battle royal over their call for a statewide ban on “microbeads” — tiny bits of plastic used in personal care products such as facial scrubs and toothpaste that are flowing by the billions into the Great Lakes and other waterways. Discovered only recently, they’re showing up inside fish that are caught for human consumption, scientists say.

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