MICROBEADS !!!!

Microbeads are polyethylene microspheres that are widely used in cosmetics, skin care and personal care industries, as well as biomedical and health science research, microscopy techniques, fluid visualization and fluid flow analysis, and process troubleshooting.They are commercially available in particle sizes from 10 um to 1000 um (1mm). Low melting temperature and fast phase transitions make this material especially suitable for creating porous structures in ceramics and other materials.
In the cosmetics industry they are usually used as exfoliating agents. Sphericity and particle size uniformity create a ball-bearing effect in creams and lotions, resulting in a silky texture and spreadability. Exceptional smoothness and roundness also provides lubrication during application. Microspheres in different colors add visual appeal to cosmetic products. Plastic particle water pollution by microplastics including plastic microbeads has become a substantial environmental concern.
Our rivers, streams, lakes, and oceans are choking with plastic. Plastic-polluted waters come at the price of convenience, bad product design, and consumption. There are solutions that create real victories for our water and our planet. Like getting rid of poorly formulated products that are designed to pollute.
Cormetic firms  are contributing directly to the plastic pollution problem by utilizing microbeads, tiny bits of plastic in beauty products. These products are designed to be washed down the drain and because of their small size, plastic microbeads bypass most sewage treatment and go straight out into the water. By the trillions. for exsample Neutrogena’s “Deep Clean” facial cleanser contains up to 350,000 microbeads in each tube alone! ( source http://storyofstuff.org/ )
Microbeads absorb and concentrate toxins in the sewage they pass through and can be up to a million times more toxic than the water around them! Often, microbeads, which resemble fish eggs, are mistaken by animals as food.
Publicly, Johnson & Johnson has agreed to phase out plastic microbeads, but the company is represented by the Personal Care Products Council, an industry lobbying group looking to kill or water down meaningful microbead legislation.

source
http://storyofstuff.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/
Credits to :  Michael O’Heaney, Stiv Wilson,  Allison Cook, Erica Priggen and Ruben DeLuna and produced by Free Range Studios.