Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 March 2018
619. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on concerns raised (details supplied) about the progress of banning microbeads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11385/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI agree that plastic microbeads in rinse-down-the-drain products should be banned and, as my Department is responsible for the protection of the marine environment, I am working to ensure that this happens. My Department proposes to implement a legislative ban on the sale or manufacture of personal care products, detergents and scouring agents containing plastic microbeads and it is intended that Heads of a Bill to ban plastic microbeads will be published later this year.
Over recent years, scientists, experts and policy makers have become increasingly concerned about the levels of waste, or marine litter, winding up in our seas and oceans. It can be found in every aspect of the marine environment and ranges in size from large objects, such as fishing nets or shipping containers, to micro- and nano-litter particles - i.e. particles of smaller than 5 mm in diameter and smaller than 0.05 mm, respectively. It is clear that this is an issue that needs to be addressed, at the very least, under the precautionary principle. Marine litter also causes socio-economic harm, such as affecting tourism and consumer confidence in seafood.
Plastic is a particular problem for the marine environment. Due to its buoyancy, it can easily be washed down rivers, blown offshore or collected by the tide from the shore as well as being dumped or lost directly into the seas from ships and fishing boats. It does not biodegrade and persists in the environment for a very long time. It can breakdown into secondary microplastic particles through erosion and there is evidence that both large plastic items and microplastics are being ingested by marine fauna with undetermined consequences both for them and for those higher up the food chain who eat them, in turn. Plastics may contain toxic additives or may even absorb other toxins present in the water.
While it is considered that most marine microplastic litter is created through the erosion of larger pieces, microplastics are also entering the marine environment in other forms such as micro-fibres from artificial fabrics worn off clothes by washing, for example. However, a certain amount of marine microplastic litter is caused by plastic microbeads which are used in cosmetics, body care and cleansing products, and detergents and surface cleaning agents, entering the marine environment via wastewater discharges into rivers and estuaries.
While these microbeads only represent a small fraction of the microplastic litter entering the marine environment, they are a particularly pernicious product as they are “ready-made” microplastics and cannot be removed once they reach it.
Microbeads could not be regarded as a major human necessity. They are often present merely for decorative purposes or are used as bulking agents in products. Also, where microbeads are used as exfoliating or scouring agents, a wide array of established safe and biodegradable organic particles or natural mineral alternatives is available.
