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Scientists Call For Ban On Glitter, Say It's a Global Hazard That Pollutes Oceans (cnet.com)
An anonymous reader quotes a report from CNET: Whether you love to add a little sparkle to your skin, or you think glitter truly is the herpes of the craft world (once it's on you, it never comes off), some scientists are now claiming that glitter is a hazard to the environment. Glitter, along with microbeads, are considered to fall under the category of microplastics, which are defined as plastics which are less than five millimeters in length. Microbeads are often found in facial scrubs, toothpaste, soaps, cosmetics and more. These microbeads pass through water filtration systems after usage but don't disintegrate, and often end up being consumed by marine life, causing concern among scientists keeping a close eye on how pollution effects fish.
"I think all glitter should be banned, because it's microplastic," Dr. Trisia Farrelly of New Zealand's Massey University told the Independent. Historically, glitter was made from mica rock particles, glass and even crushed beetles. Modern-day crafting glitter is made primarily from metals, while fine-milled cosmetic glitter is made from polyester, foil and plastics.
"I think all glitter should be banned, because it's microplastic," Dr. Trisia Farrelly of New Zealand's Massey University told the Independent. Historically, glitter was made from mica rock particles, glass and even crushed beetles. Modern-day crafting glitter is made primarily from metals, while fine-milled cosmetic glitter is made from polyester, foil and plastics.
It's a goddamned sneaky backdoor pogrom against FABULOUSNESS!
the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
I forget which comedian said it, but I recall a bit where compared glitter to herpes. Once you've got it, you can't get rid of it.
War on Drugs, War on Terror, now War on Ke$ha?? Those "Scientists" have NOOO idea what they unleashed...
We need a Glitter Regulatory Administration, laying down the rules and protecting us from our own over-glitterousness.
Think of the Shiny Happy People! What will happen to them?
I curse the bastard that invented it. My house and car have not been glitter free since the kids have been old enough to do "art". Yes, glitter is a global hazard and should be eradicated from existence, but as anyone with kids knows that is an impossible task.
It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
Just let nature take its course. Glitter eating organisms should die out over time, while non-glitter eating organisms should prosper.
NO ONE CAN!
Think of all the Cheerleaders...
What will become of them?
As I read the article all I can hear is the voices of 1000's of strippers crying!!!!
Let's thank god they aren't smart enough to stockpile the shiz
Yeah, I'm gonna be that guy.
Glitter is another way to sell more oil.
My ism, it's full of beliefs.
So, 1.332 billion km^3 of oceans...
Which means a cubic km of glitter amounts to 0.000000075% of the oceans.
When we get up to a cubic km of glitter manufactured, I'll start thinking about worrying about glitter pollution....
"I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
Make the stuff (slowly) water-soluble. So that it can be washed off — in the shower or washing machine.
To make it even less harmful — and sought after — make it edible...
In Soviet Washington the swamp drains you.
I haven't played with glitter since my gold star days in grade school.
Dear Dr. Trisia Farrelly of New Zealand's Massey University (from now on DTFNZMU to save breath):
You ask for banning "all glitter" because, as you DTFNZMU says, "[glitter] it's microplastic".
Should I inform you that historically glitter was made of mica (found in natural form in the ecosystem) and there are some companies that do still produce mica-only glittler?
Hence, DTFNZMU, wouldn't you agree with me that your statement of "I think all glitter should be banned, because it's microplastic" is SO, but SO SO SO OVER THE TOP that might put off that "D" in your name title? Unless, of course, that "D" corresponds with a Doctorate in Filosophy or other... in which case you should refrain of such comments using the "D" in your name title as it makes seem you know what you're talking about.
... seems to be the go-to answer to so damn many questions these days. How about instead, coming up with ways that those who wish to use "microplastic" materials or other can do so without causing harm.
Acceptable solutions do the following (in order of precedence)
1. Work at least as well in the application as the material being replaced ( like, for example lead"-free" solder does NOT)
2. Cost the end user no more cash than the material/process being replaced ( like large fraction of "green alternatives" in general fail to do)
3. Significantly mitigate the perceived problem or hazard.
"I think all glitter should be banned, because it's microplastic," Dr. Trisia Farrelly of New Zealand's Massey University... Modern-day crafting glitter is made primarily from metals..
It's more like a pogrom against logical consistency. If crafting glitter is not made from plastic but metal then, unless there is an environmental problem with the metal they use, why should it be banned? If the summary is right then clearly "all glitter" should not be banned, just cosmetic glitter which is made from plastic and Gary.
AGW(anti glitter warning) is a lie propagated by librul scientists in order to get megabucks and suppress the freedoms of conservative, glitter mining americans. If you go to infowars, they have a trove of anti glitter emails that fully discredit these "scientists". Also, china is not going to stop using glitter so we actually need to double down and use twice the fucking glitter we used to! Hockey stick. Her emails. Bengazi. Pizzagate.
I hate glitters more than I hate grammar.
Im still picking up bits of Dorothy's ruby glitter slippers from hollarween. Stupid wench.
Why only get rid of microplastics?
How about most macroplastic waste too? We've filled our world with wasteful packaging, unnecessary plastic bags, disposable everything, and so on.
If we keep the useful macroplastic and stop producing the rest, we'll still get rid of a lot of waste and pollution.
Won't someone PLEASE think of the strippers! Glitter is integral to their livelyhood! Without it, they're just more shadowy bodies gliding through the dank darkness!
Gold is safe to eat, harmless to the environment, shiny, and will even clean itself up if it is available in large enough quantities.
You mean I can't glue up my testicals anymore?!
that actually has some teeth.
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I recall that in elementary school I was told that plastics break down into smaller and smaller pieces over time.
If we ban the smallest pieces of plastic, won't the larger stuff still break down over time?
Since a study found that about 90% of the [plastic] debris was microfibers – both in freshwater and the ocean, and these were identified as coming from clothes then perhaps we should ban these too.
Those girls work hard for their money and they deserve to shine. Dr. Trisia is just jealous because she has a stripper name but doesn't have the pole-skills for a real career. That's why she's pretending fish are better than strippers.
There goes K3sha's career...
Plastics are made from fossil fuels, and therefore should be completely banned along with every other fossil fuel product. We have to stop the greedy oil companies from raping the Earth.
I’m all for connecting buildings with glass tunnels and/or only living in places where the weather is nice enough, and getting rid of all the clothing forever!
Yes, there’s ugly people too. But you also kiss your grandma don’t you? And look at her face and hands! ... That proves that it’s only social conditioning.
People would start giving a fuck about their bodies, and we would stop giving a fuck about the bodies of others. It’s how “primitive” tribes always did it.
And yes, I get to see that hot girl naked. Only a true religious extremist (read: suicide-bombing child rapist) would believe that’s wrong.
microplastics, which are defined as plastics which are less than five millimeters in length
So if it's 5mm long, but 1000000 miles wide and 10000000 km deep, it's still a microplastic?