Why is there a great concern about the ‘microbeads’ that are released into the environment?

1. They are considered harmful to marine ecosystems.
2. They are considered to cause skin cancer in children.
3. They are small enough to be absorbed by crop plants in irrigated fields.
4. They are often found to be used as food adulterants.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Microbeads are tiny plastic particles commonly found in personal care products like exfoliating scrubs and toothpaste. When these products are washed down the drain, microbeads can pass through wastewater treatment processes and enter rivers, lakes, and oceans. Once in the aquatic environment, they can be ingested by marine organisms, leading to harmful effects on marine life, disrupting food chains, and potentially accumulating in the food web.

Answer: (a) They are considered harmful to marine ecosystems; Difficulty Level: Easy