Q. Consider the following statements:
1.Microbeads are used primarily as exfoliants and cleansers in personal care products.
2.Microbeads are biodegradable materials that can break down naturally over time.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
Answer: A
Notes:
Explanation –
Statement 1 is correct. Microbeads are small plastic particles, typically less than 5 millimeters in size, used in personal care products for exfoliation and cleansing purposes. Microbeads are too small to be filtered out by sewage treatment plants, leading to their accumulation in rivers, lakes, and oceans, where they pose environmental hazards.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Microbeads are made from synthetic plastics like polyethylene and are not biodegradable. They persist in the environment and contribute to plastic pollution. While countries like the U.S., U.K., Canada, France, and New Zealand have banned microbeads in products, India has not yet addressed this issue clearly.
Source: The Hindu
