UPSC Prelims 2019 Q30: Environment & Ecology – Pollution & Waste Management
- (a) They are considered harmful to marine ecosystems.
- (b) They are considered to cause skin cancer in children.
- (c) They are small enough to be absorbed by crop plants in irrigated fields.
- (d) They are often found to be used as food adulterants.
Answer: (a) They are considered harmful to marine ecosystems.
Explanation
Microbeads: Environmental Concern
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| What are microbeads? | Tiny (< 5 mm) solid plastic particles used in cosmetics, toothpaste, exfoliating scrubs, personal-care products. |
| Composition | Polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene - non-biodegradable plastics. |
| Environmental route | Wash off during use -> sewage -> rivers and oceans (too small for water-treatment filters). |
| Primary concern | Harm to marine ecosystems - ingested by plankton, fish, turtles, birds; enter the marine food chain and reach humans via seafood; leach toxic chemicals. |
| Global response | UK, USA, Canada, India have restricted/banned microbead use in cosmetics (India's ban notified via BIS standards). |
Answer: (a) They are considered harmful to marine ecosystems.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Microbeads are microplastics that bypass sewage treatment, reach oceans and are ingested by marine organisms - the primary concern is marine ecosystem harm and food-chain bioaccumulation.
- (b) Incorrect. Skin cancer link is unproven; the concern is environmental, not direct dermatological.
- (c) Incorrect. While soil microplastic uptake is a growing research area, that is not the primary/original concern behind microbead bans.
- (d) Incorrect. Microbeads are cosmetic/scrub ingredients, not commonly food adulterants.
Key point
Microbeads = < 5 mm plastic particles in cosmetics/scrubs -> sewage -> oceans -> marine food chain harm. UK, USA, Canada, India have restricted them.
Remember
The great concern about microbeads (tiny plastic particles < 5 mm used in cosmetics and toothpaste) is that they are considered harmful to marine ecosystems - they pass through sewage treatment, reach oceans, and are ingested by marine life, entering and bioaccumulating in the food chain. UK, USA, Canada and India have restricted their use in personal-care products.
Common mistakes
- Confusing microbeads with microplastics generally - microbeads are a specific manufactured type; microplastics also include tyre wear, textile fibres.
- Assuming water treatment removes microbeads - they are too small for standard filters.
- Not knowing India's Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has restricted microbeads in cosmetics.
Exam tip
Microplastic sources: (i) Primary = microbeads (cosmetics), pellets (industry). (ii) Secondary = breakdown of larger plastic (bottles, bags, fishing nets), tyre wear, synthetic textile lint. Both end up in oceans and food chains.
Sources
- UNEP - Marine plastic litter and microplastics report
- Ministry of Environment - National Marine Litter Policy documents