http://www.ag.ny.gov/press-release/ag-schneiderman-proposes-first-nation-legislation-banning-plastic-microbeads-commonly

A.G. Schneiderman Proposes First-in-the-Nation Legislation Banning
Plastic Microbeads In Commonly Used Cosmetics

Legislation To Be Introduced By Assemblyman Robert K. Sweeney

Microbead-Free Waters Act Bans Plastic Beads Used In Facial Scrubs,
Shampoos And Toothpaste; Beads Found At High Levels In Lake Erie, Beads
Pollute New York Waters And Pose Emerging Threat To Wildlife, Public Health

Schneiderman: Protecting Our Waterways Is Among New York’s Most
Important Responsibilities

NEW YORK – Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today was joined by
Long Island Assemblyman Robert K. Sweeney in proposing
first-in-the-nation legislation that bans a form of plastic pollution
that is an emerging threat to New York’s Great Lakes and other bodies of
water. The Attorney General’s Microbead-Free Waters Act will prohibit
the sale in New York of beauty and cosmetic products that contain tiny
plastic particles that are often marketed as microbeads. The plastic
beads, which were recently found in alarmingly high levels in the New
York waters of Lake Erie, can persist in the environment for centuries
and accumulate toxic chemicals on their surface, threatening fish,
wildlife and public health.

“From the Great Lakes to the Hudson River to Long Island Sound, our
commitment to protecting and restoring New York’s waters is among our
most important responsibilities,” Attorney General Schneiderman said.
“New York’s environmental leadership continues today with the
introduction of common-sense legislation that will stop the flow of
plastic from ill-designed beauty products into our vital waters,
preserving our natural heritage for future generations.”

The Microbead-Free Waters Act would prohibit the production,
manufacture, distribution and sale in New York of any beauty product,
cosmetic or other personal care product containing plastic particles
less than 5 millimeters in size. Microbeads are commonly found in more
than 100 products, including facial scrubs, soaps, shampoo and
toothpaste, where they replace ground walnut shells, sea salt, and other
natural materials as an abrasive.

http://5gyres.org/posts/2014/02/11/5_gyres_introduces_legislation_with_ny_attorney_general_to_ban_the_microbead/

http://5gyres.org/posts/2014/02/13/round_2_5_gyres_introduces_legislation_with_cas_assemblyman_richard_bloom_to_ban_plastic_microbeads/

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/11/nyregion/ban-sought-on-microbeads-in-beauty-items.html

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-california-microbead-ban-20140213,0,175963.story

http://www.onearth.org/articles/2014/02/new-york-wants-microbeads-outta-cosemetics-and-great-lakes