The potential emission of personal care products derived plastic microbeads: a case study of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Plastic microbeads are commonly used in many personal care products and can cause adverse impacts to the environment and ecosystem. The toxicological problem with these pollutants are due to their non-biodegradable materials, which washed down the drain; end up accumulating in the aquatic system causing increased frequency and quantity of items ingested by biota. Several polymers (e.g. Polyethylene) especially those found in plastic microbeads have been reported to be in tandem with other toxic contaminants serving as a vector for their transports in the environment. Thus, the legislative ban for plastic microbeads is used in some developed countries, but many countries including Vietnam do not take any legal action. This present study aimed at potential microbead’s existence in the cosmetic market of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). The list and ingredients of microbeads containing personal care products (toothpaste, facial cleanser/scrubs and body wash/scrubs) have been checked. The microbeads containing PCPs are common for all explored categories, especially in toothpaste. Data from the online questionnaire survey have shown that 98% of respondents have frequently used at least one microbead containing product. Four polymers (Polyethylene, Acrylates Copolymer Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer and Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer) have been observed in the product package of several facial cleansers and body scrubs. Thus, the potential negative impacts of this contaminant should not be ignored.