Scientists are highlighting damage that glitter does to our seas, oceans and environment. scientists are calling for worldwide ban on sparkly, shiny pieces of plastic that decorate everything from eyelids to greetings cards to furniture. Scientists from New Zealand's Massey University say glitter is micro-plastic and should therefore be banned. They say considerable amount of glitter ends up in world's oceans. Fish cannot digest it and it does not break down, so it stays in food chain. Professor Richard Thompson conducted research in seas around the United Kingdom. He found that plastic particles were discovered in about one-third of fish caught.
Micro-plastics are tiny pieces of plastic that are less than five millimeters long. Most glitter produced around world falls into category of micro-plastics. Dr Trisia Farrelly told Britain's "Independent" newspaper: "I think all glitter should be banned because it's micro-plastic." Professor Thompson said: "I was quite concerned when somebody bought my daughters some shower gel that had glitter particles in it. That stuff is going to escape down plughole and potentially enter environment." Some cosmetics companies are now discontinuing their use of plastic glitter. company Lush stated: "We've avoided micro-plastics by switching to synthetic and mineral glitter."
