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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.
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. . . .
NO ONE CAN!
Yeah, I'm gonna be that guy.
They'll become strippers like God intended.
But what becomes of strippers without glitter? I think we need to put our foot down on this anti-glitter hysteria before it does permanent damage.
You are welcome on my lawn.
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 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.
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.
How do you think I met my first two wives?
You are welcome on my lawn.
First they came for the glitter, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not glitter.
Then they came for the glue, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not glue.
Then they came for the paint, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not paint.
Then they came for me—and there was nothing left to do crafts with.
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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.