California environmental groups are seeking to reintroduce a bill that would ban microbeads. The plastic particles are found in a number of skin cleansing products. Researchers say microbeads are nonbiodegradable and end up in rivers and oceans where they endanger marine life. A bill to ban microbead products failed to pass the state legislature earlier this year, falling short of one vote. A similar bill is expected to be introduced next year. Several large companies such as Johnson & Johnson and L’Oréal have begun phasing out microbeads while others have stopped altogether. Consumers have been turning to products with natural exfoliants, including sugar, ground almond shell, and polenta.
