HI SR31

Urges the Hawaii Department of Health to raise public awareness about the adverse effects and dangers of microbeads in personal-care products such as facial wash, exfoliating scrubs, toothpaste, and shower gel.

Identifies that microbeads are non-biodegradable plastic particles that pass through wastewater treatment filters, enter oceans and waterways, and are consumed by marine animals that subsequently enter the human food chain.

Notes that one bottle of facial cleanser may contain 350,000 microbeads and American consumers purchase personal-care products containing more than 573,000 pounds of microbeads annually.

Highlights that natural alternatives to microbeads exist, including ground almond shells, sugar, salt, oatmeal, and fruit pits, and that several major companies have already stopped or are phasing out microbead use.

References Illinois legislation phasing out the sale and manufacture of personal-care products containing microbeads as a model for addressing the issue.