Microbeads Bill Testimony

The State House Natural Resources committee heard testimony Tuesday on legislation that would ban the sale of personal care products that contain plastic microbeads, which do not biodegrade in the environment and could harm fish and other aquatic life.

Supporters call the legislation a common sense compromise since many in the industry have voluntarily promised to phase them out of their products.

Opponents of the legislation, like Marquette Democrat John Kivela, has a problem with the bill since it allows for non-biodegradable microbeads and fails to set a specific standard of biodegradable.

Michigan sportsman and fisheries groups oppose the legislation in its current form.

Three other Great Lakes states and Canada have approved similar legislation.

The plastic microbeads are contained in such things as toothpaste and many skin care products.