EXPERTS have warned that the continued use of microbeads in our cosmetics could pose a risk to wildlife and humans.

Tiny microbeads are found in well-known products such as toothpastes and shower gels, acting as an abrasive cleaner.

These plastics are usually washed into the sea via sewers, where they invariably end up in the food chain.

The government has faced pressure from campaigners and politicians alike to address the problem of plastic pollution.

Read about the Big Clean in barrow that is tidying up our streets .

Already, some cosmetics companies have pledged to phase out microplastics in their products by 2020.

Lecturer and environmental campaigner Kate Rawles, of Ainsworth Street, Ulverston, was pleased this issue was being addressed.

She said: "I'm delighted, a lot of people have been working very hard towards this.

"Eight million tonnes of plastic goes into our oceans every year. That is enough to cover every beach on earth in plastic."

Ms Rawles was lecturer in outdoor studies at the University of Cumbria from 2004 to 2014, and has long advocated radical responses to our current environmental issues.

The continued use of mircroplastics can result in the death of the tiny zooplankton that fish feed on, as well as larger animals like sea birds.

"Baby albatross have been found dead because of the amount of plastic in their stomach. There may also be a risk to humans. Plastics tend to attract other toxins, which may end up in the human food chain."

Although the move by some companies to phase out microbeads has been praised, many feel there is still work to be done.

The cross-party Environmental Audit Committee wants firmer action to be taken and has called on the Government to ban the use of the plastics in products by the end of 2017.

The committee's chairwoman Mary Creagh said: "Trillions of tiny pieces of plastic are accumulating in the world's oceans, lakes and estuaries, harming marine life and entering the food chain."

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