The federal government has announced it intends to ban the microbeads used in personal care products, after a scientific review found that the tiny particles pose a potential risk to the environment.
Minister of Labour and Status of Women Kellie Leitch made the announcement by the shores of Lake Ontario in Toronto on Thursday.
Leitch said the decision was made after Environment Canada completed a review of more than 130 scientific papers and consulted experts in various fields.
“We don’t know the long-term impacts of the continuous release and accumulation in the environment,” Leitch said of microbeads.
Microbeads are plastic particles used in a range of personal care products, including skin care lotions, shampoos, and toothpaste brands.