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