INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – An Indiana House committee unanimously passed a bill that would ban the sale and manufacture of soaps and cosmetics containing tiny plastic particles that environmentalists say are polluting water resources.
 
The particles known as microbeads are typically found in facial scrubs and toothpastes. Scientists recently discovered that microbeads make up about 20 percent of the plastic pollution found in the Great Lakes and are showing up in fish caught for human consumption.
 
Environmental Affairs Committee members approved the bill Wednesday that would gradually phase out the sale and production of cosmetics with microbeads. Similar legislation has been passed in Illinois and New York.
 
Supporters said the bill would take a proactive stance on the issue. There was little opposition since large manufacturers have already started substituting microbeads with organic materials.